The Royal Palace of Turin: A House of Savoy Residence

The Royal Palace of Turin is a historic palace of the House of Savoy in the city of Turin in Northern Italy. Originally built in the 16th century, it was later modernized in the 17th century by Christine Marie of France with designs by the Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra. The palace includes the Palazzo Chiablese and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, which was built to house the Shroud of Turin. In 1946, the building became the property of the state and was turned into a museum. In 1997, it was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list along with 13 other residences of the House of Savoy.

Construction of the palace was ordered by the Regent Christine Marie in 1645. The chosen location was the previous Bishop's Palace, which was built during the reign of Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy. The palace was expanded by Emmanuel Philibert to house his collection of art, animals, marbles, and furniture. During the reign of Victor Amadeus II, the Daniel gallery was created, and a winter apartment overlooking the gardens was built. Neoclassical style was introduced to the palace in the reign of Charles Emmanuel III.

Today, the palace serves as a museum of the life and works of the House of Savoy. Its rooms are decorated with rich tapestries and a collection of Chinese and Japanese vases, while the Royal Armoury houses an extensive array of arms from the 16th and 17th centuries. The palace also houses the Scala delle Forbici, a staircase by Filippo Juvarra, and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, which features a spiral dome.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons