The Royal Museums are among the largest museum complexes in Europe and are located in the heart of Turin.
The date of foundation of the Royal Museums dates back to 1563 when Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy moved the capital of the duchy from Chambery to Turin.
In the 1600s, starting from the Royal Palace, the city began to expand following an orthogonal pattern until it took on the appearance we see today. The Savoy family lived in the Royal Palace until 1946, when it passed into the hands of the State.
The Royal Museums complex includes:
- Royal Palace
- Royal Armoury
- Royal Library
- Royal Gardens
- Archaeological Museum
- Savoy Gallery
- Chapel of the Shroud
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace, the main building of the Museums, was the home of the Savoy family and still preserves the original furnishings and works of art. Baroque, neoclassical and rococo styles meet in the different rooms of the Palace.
Royal Armoury
In the Beaumont Gallery is the Royal Armoury, which houses more than a pair of armour from different historical periods. Among the weapons there are also numerous pieces from the private collections of various Kings of Italy.
Royal Library
Inside the Royal Palace there is a Scala Alfieriana that connects the Armoury to the Royal Library, founded by Carlo Alberto in 1831. It was the old court library and contains volumes purchased by collectors from all over Europe.
Royal Gardens
The Royal Gardens are a green area that also expands outside the museum complex. They were built by Duparc starting from one of the ramparts and mark the Roman entrance to the city of the Mole.
Archaeological Museum
Inside there are testimonies of various historical eras including the precious Treasure of Marengo, an incredible set of silver objects from the Roman age, dating back to between the third and fifth centuries.
Savoy Gallery
The Savoy Gallery was a bit like the private artistic area of the Savoy family. Inside you can admire paintings by classical artists such as Duccio or Botticelli but also works of Flemish art.
Chapel of the Shroud
The Chapel of the Shroud is located inside the Cathedral of Turin and was built around 1668 although in 1997 it was partially destroyed by fire. The building was only reopened to the public in 2008, after extensive restoration work.
