The fascinating history of Castello del Valentino Turin
Castello del Valentino in Turin is a historic Savoy residence rich in art and beauty, located in Valentino Park.
What is the history of Castello del Valentino Turin?
Castello del Valentino is one of the most fascinating Savoy residences. Born in the sixteenth century as an extra-urban riverside residence, it reached its peak in the seventeenth century thanks to Cristina di Francia, the first regent of the Savoy State.
Why is it called Castello del Valentino Turin?
The name comes from the Latin term Vallantinum, which described the morphology of the land, characterized by a small valley along the Po River.
Why did Castello del Valentino Turin become important in the 1500s?
After the transfer of the Savoy capital from Chambéry to Turin in 1563, Emanuele Filiberto purchased the site to strategically control the surroundings of the city.
Who transformed Castello del Valentino Turin in the seventeenth century?
Cristina di Francia, wife of Vittorio Amedeo I, radically transformed the castle into an elegant and modern residence according to the French taste of the time.
Which architects worked on Castello del Valentino Turin?
Carlo and Amedeo di Castellamonte were commissioned for the expansion works, modifying the facade towards the Po and that towards the current Corso Marconi.
What are the architectural features of Castello del Valentino Turin?
The castle features a scenographic layout with important volumes, lateral towers, and a facade that was once directly accessible from the Po River.
Who frescoed the interiors of Castello del Valentino Turin?
The rooms were decorated by Isidoro Bianchi and his workshop with refined frescoes, gilded stuccos, and scenes celebrating the Savoy court and ties with France.
What do the frescoes in the honor salon of Castello del Valentino Turin represent?
The frescoes explicitly celebrate the dynastic relationship between the court of Turin and that of France, paying homage to the Madama Reale.
Which artists decorated the northern rooms of Castello del Valentino Turin?
In the following years, Giovanni Paolo and Giovanni Antonio Recchi decorated the northern rooms along with a group of Lugano stucco workers.
Why did Castello del Valentino Turin lose its centrality in the eighteenth century?
In the eighteenth century, it was no longer used as the main residence by the court, limiting architectural interventions.
How was the Botanical Garden of Castello del Valentino Turin born?
In 1729, Vittorio Amedeo II transformed one of the side gardens into a university botanical garden. The botanical garden is still visitable today.
What nineteenth-century transformations affected Castello del Valentino Turin?
During the nineteenth century, Domenico Ferri and Luigi Tonta modified part of the structure in view of the 1858 Exhibition wanted by Cavour.
When did Castello del Valentino Turin become a university seat?
In 1861 it became the seat of the Royal School of Application for Engineers, from which the Polytechnic of Turin was born in 1906. It still hosts the Faculty of Architecture today.
What role did Cristina di Francia have in Castello del Valentino Turin?
Cristina di Francia, known as Madama Reale, transformed the castle into a place of representation, a theater of parties, ceremonies, and royal receptions.
What decorations are typical of the interiors of Castello del Valentino Turin?
Gilded stuccos, Baroque frescoes, scenographic vaults, and mythological subjects enrich the rooms, showcasing the French taste of the period.
What happened to Castello del Valentino Turin after the death of Cristina di Francia?
After the death of the Madama Reale, the festive atmosphere that characterized the residence faded. The castle experienced a period of lesser architectural attention.
How does Castello del Valentino Turin present itself today?
Today it is set in a large nineteenth-century park and overlooks the Po, creating one of the most picturesque landscapes in the city.
Which parts of Castello del Valentino Turin are visitable?
Some historic rooms, the Botanical Garden, and the outdoor areas are accessible during guided tours and organized events.
Why visit Castello del Valentino Turin?
To admire one of the most elegant Savoy residences, discover its rich past of art and politics, and enjoy the charm of the gardens overlooking the Po.
Where is Castello del Valentino Turin located exactly?
It is located within the Valentino Park, in the green heart of the city, easily reachable from the center with a scenic walk along the Po.
