Savoy Residences
Reggia di Venaria
Category: Savoy Residences
It was meant to be the Savoy Versailles. Not just a magnificent place, but an expression of the monarchy and of its splendor. This is the reason that the Venaria Reale design is such an extensive work with the castle, the park, and the hamlet in a single perspective. The Venaria Reale complex, created in the mid 1600’s, is the result of five construction phases which used, in order, the ducal and royal architects Michelangelo Garove, Filippo Juvarra, Benedetto Alfieri, and Giuseppe Piacenza. In 1658, Carlo Emanuele II decided to create a permanent hunting establishment. The project was entrusted to Castellamonte who designed the palace, the park, and the hamlet in a single setting. Within this axis of symmetry – even though the villa has a central position – the parterres, where official ceremonies were held, inevitably create the natural setting.
Just as much in ruins as Rivoli was at the end of the 17th century, Venaria was rebuilt following Garove’s design which features enlargements on the southeast side with areas for the court; while Juvarra and Alfieri continued the project with an orange grove, and the construction of stables and the Chapel of Sant’Uberto. During the last years of the 18th century, the palace underwent interior changes and construction by Piacenza until, during the Restoration, the cost to repair the damage caused by the French forced the Savoy to abandon the idea. Beginning in 1818, Venaria became a Veterinary School and a Horse Riding School to then transform itself, in 1881, into the seat of the 5th Artillery Regiment.
Today, Venaria is one of the most imposing restoration sites in Europe. Following the restoration work of the palace and hamlet of the Mandria Castle which was supported by the European Community, the Ministry for the Arts and Cultural Industry, and the Piedmont Region, the Piedmont territory will have at its disposal a high profile international tourism-cultural point. Next to the Museum of Savoy events and court life, a Landscape Museum will be created with a hotel and convention space, while the Rubianetta Farmstead will house the Horse Center.
Information
Piazza Repubblica, 4 - 10078 Venaria Reale (To)
Tel. +39.011.4992333 (Info)
Tel. 800.329329 (Toll free number) - 00800.11133300 (Abroad)
Tel. +39.011.4325681 (InfoPiemonte, piazza Castello 165 - To)
prenotazioni@lavenariareale.it
www.lavenaria.it
