left navigation - skip

The Baroque style finds its maximum expression in the churches and palaces of Turin. The Baroque style accompanied the foundation and development of the Savoy state between the end of the 16th until the 18th century. It was part of the rise of a dynasty and represented and celebrated the strength of a dukedom and later kingdom that was playing an important role in Italian history. In Piedmont and Turin the Baroque style was introduced by Emanuele Filiberto, who regained the lost territories of his father by lending King Philip II a helping hand.
Famous architects such as Castellamonte, Guarini and Juvarra have strongly contributed to the great success of this style that has a lot more to offer than splendour and drapes. The Baroque style is an aesthetic style. It represents the artistic expression of an epoch. Its almost never straight lines, its ornamental plasterworks and the stage effects reflect the continuous search of the artists to establish a reconciliation between different components: science and faith, reason and emotions, technology and amazement, thus representing those different opinions which prevailed at that time.

GEMS OF BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE... IN THE CITY!

The wonderful palaces and churches let you feel the splendour and great atmosphere of Italians most important capital of Baroque.

Don't miss the Palazzo Madama, which was the residence of Christine Marie of France and Marie Jeanne Baptiste of Savoy-Nemours. The exterior of the palace and the sumptuous staircase were designed by Juvarra in honour of those two ladies. Next to the palace there is the Chiesa di San Lorenzo, a work of art designed by Guarino Guarini and one of the religious masterpieces of Europe held in Baroque style.
Just opposite, you can see the elegant exterior of the Palazzo Reale, which for two centuries has been the residence of Savoys and today hosts a museum.
Then there is the Palazzo Carignano. It is one of the most important masterpieces of Guarino Guarini and of Baroque in Piedmont and was built between 1679 and 1684. Here was the birthplace of Carlo Alberto and Vittorio Emanuele II and seat of the Piedmont Parliament and of the National Museum of Italian Risorgimento.
Another gem of Baroque architecture is the Chiesa di San Filippo. This church features a single nave, which boasts to be the broadest of Turin, and was designed by famous architects such as Guarino Guarini, Michelangelo Garove and Filippo Juvarra.
And finally you have to visit the Piazza San Carlo with its palaces and its two churches held in Baroque style: San Carlo was built in 1619 but features and exterior facade of the 19th century and Santa Cristina designed by Carlo di Castellamonte and Juvarra.

ROYAL RESIDENCES

The magnificent castles, palaces and gardens, which once belonged to the Savoy family, were added to the list of the World Heritage Sites in 1997.

The Royal Residences in the city and the surrounding area tell the story and the splendor of the Savoy family, of a past with warlike dukes and kings who were interested in art and collection, of noble royal ladies who loved ballets and the theater, of court architects, artists and writers, and of splendid ceremonies and feasts with hunting, labyrinths, parks and fountains. This heritage of extraordinary art-historical interest is known as the Royal Residences.
In Turin and its surroundings you can admire the following Royal Residences: Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama in piazza Castello, Palazzo Carignano in piazza Carignano, Castello del Valentino in the Valentino park, Villa della Regina next to the hill, Castello di Rivoli and Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi; Castello di Moncalieri, Castello de La Mandria, Castello di Pollenzo, Castello Reale di Govone, Castello Reale di Racconigi, Castello Ducale di Aglié and Reggia di Valcasotto.