You can’t miss the Palazzo Reale Torino. Right in the heart of Turin, its gleaming white façade dominates the elegant Piazza Castello. But the real treasure lies within: lavish interiors, impressive museum collections, and centuries of Italian history. This is both a historic palace of the Savoy family and the home of the Royal Museums of Turin. It is also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Palazzo Reale di Torino is part of the UNESCO-listed Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, a designation that emphasises its cultural and historical significance. These royal dwellings, scattered across Piedmont, represent the architectural and political legacy of one of Europe’s most influential dynasties.
Originally commissioned in the late 16th century, the Royal Palace of Turin was designed to reflect the power and prestige of the Savoy rulers. The main building was a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Over the centuries, it was expanded and embellished, until it became the administrative and ceremonial centre of the kingdom.
Today the palace complex houses the Royal Apartments, the Royal Armoury and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. You’ll also find archaeological displays, an art gallery and the remains of a Roman theatre.
The Royal Apartments
Visitors begin their journey through the Palazzo Reale by following a prescribed route through the formal state rooms. Starting with the grand staircase, intended as a ceremonial entrance, the royal apartments are a study in opulence. You are surrounded by gilded panelling, mirrored walls, paintings and frescoes, and glittering chandeliers.
Each room reveals the splendour in which the Savoyards lived, the furnishings and artworks emphasising their taste for luxury and ceremony. The attention to detail is astonishing and – as at their countryside palace of Reggia Di Venaria Reale – it is clear that Turin’s rulers liked to live on a very grand scale.
Royal Armoury
One of the most dramatic spaces in the palace is the Royal Armoury, a long gallery lined with weapons, suits of armour, and mounted horses. This collection, one of the finest in Europe, includes ceremonial swords, pistols, and military regalia spanning several centuries.
The exhibition is not purely martial but also an artistic statement. The arrangement of the artefacts, the lighting, and the ornate surroundings make the Armoury feel more than just a display of weaponry. It’s a testament to the Savoy family’s military heritage, their power, and their role in shaping Italian and European history.
Chapel Of The Holy Shroud
The Savoy family acquired the famous Turin Shroud in 1453, and in the 17th century Guarino Guarini was commissioned to build a chapel in the Palazzo Reale to house and preserve it. Although the Shroud itself is now kept in Turin Cathedral and is only occasionally on view to the public, the chapel remains a place of pilgrimage and is notable for its architecture.
The elliptical dome, created from wood and marble, is supported by a series of arches, and was regarded as a marvel of engineering when it was first built. It is also remarkable for its symbolism, shown in the decorative details and in the muted light and subdued tones of the enclosed space.
Archaeological Gallery And The Museum Of Antiquities
Descending into the lower levels of the palace, visitors enter the Archaeological Gallery. A short film introduces the history of the site, which was built over Roman foundations. The gallery showcases Roman artefacts recovered from local villas, including two mosaic floors, tombstones, and grave goods.
Returning to the ground floor you arrive at the Museum of Antiquities. This is full of statues and busts from the classical period, as well as Greek urns and other exhibits. A particular highlight is the Treasure of Marengo, a dazzling display of Roman silverware.
Galleria Sabauda
The Galleria Sabauda (Savoy Gallery) was established in 1832 to house the paintings collected by the Savoy family over the previous centuries. It includes Flemish and Dutch artworks as well as masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance.
The Roman Arena
Finally, you can go outside to explore the remains of the Roman theatre, regarded as one of the most significant monuments of Roman Turin. This was once an important entertainment space, a place for meetings and public events.
Much of the theatre has now been built over, but substantial sections remain, including parts of the stage and the seating areas. Interpretation panels give more information about the site.
How To Visit The Royal Palace Of Turin
- The entrance to the Palazzo Reale is on Piazza Castello, where visitors will find the ticket office and information centre.
- Tickets can be purchased on-site or online. You can also buy a 4-day Royal Pass that allows you to visit several of the Savoy residences of the World Heritage Site.
- Guided tours are available.
- The museum is closed on Mondays.
- Outside the Palazzo Reale are the extensive Royal Gardens, which are free to visit.
