The Venaria Reale, also known as the Versailles of Italy, is a real jewel in Turin’s architectural patrimony as well as an important future museum. The Savoy residence was commissioned by Carlo Emanuele II in 1658 and later added to by Amedeo di Castellamonte. Today an ambitious project is underway to restore the residence to its former glory and magnificence (this undertaking was initiated in 1961, although it has only begun to pick up momentum in the last few years). Juvarra’s Galleria di Diana – Juvarra alongside Michelangelo Garove restructured the space after the original was destroyed by the French in 1693 – is simply gorgeous, as is the church of Sant’Umberto, the stables, and the Citroniera (lemon garden). The Borgo Medievale of Venaria was designed by Amedeo di Castellamonte. |
