Located centrally in the regal city of Turin, the Palazzo Madama (or Palazzo Madama e Casaforte degli Acaja), sitting in Piazza Castello and surrounded by the likes of the Palazzo Reale, is a must-see. Not only is it a fascinating structure in its own right but it houses curiosities that really make the experience. If you're staying in a holiday rental nearby, make it a point to stop by.
The two towers above the building pre-date Christianity and the foundations in the basement and the remains of the praetorian door are Roman. Four turrets project from the current structure which are the remnants of the castle that was built there in the 14th century.
The two towers above the building pre-date Christianity and the foundations in the basement and the remains of the praetorian door are Roman. Four turrets project from the current structure which are the remnants of the castle that was built there in the 14th century.
The elegant and dramatic Baroque façade which faces on to the Piazza Castello comes from a period of reconstruction of the building done in the 17th and 18th centuries. From this point onwards, the palazzo lost its defensive function and became the seat of the ducal family. It is from this period that it gained its name, the “Madama” of Palazzo Madama referring to the two queens of the House of Savoy who lived there in the 18th century and whose artistic impulses had great impact on the building. In 1799, it was occupied by a revolutionary government and was home to various groups and organisations, including the Senate between 1848 and 1864, until it was bought by the Municipality and made into a museum in 1934.
Reopened in 2006 after a period of intense renovations, it remains the Museo Civico d'Arte Antica today. Commonly mistranslated as the Museum of Ancient Art, another museum housed elsewhere in Turin, it is actually a collection of paintings, statues, church ornaments and decorative art from the late Middle Ages up to the 18th Century. Arranged over four floors and a bit of a maze, it is recommended that you download a map from their site before visiting.
Reopened in 2006 after a period of intense renovations, it remains the Museo Civico d'Arte Antica today. Commonly mistranslated as the Museum of Ancient Art, another museum housed elsewhere in Turin, it is actually a collection of paintings, statues, church ornaments and decorative art from the late Middle Ages up to the 18th Century. Arranged over four floors and a bit of a maze, it is recommended that you download a map from their site before visiting.
A full walk around the exhibitions takes at least an hour and a half and audio guides can be rented from the ticket office while guide books can be purchases in the bookshop but the map alone would probably suffice.
The basement has the Roman foundations and medieval works, the ground floor is made up of the 14th century castle and art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the first floor houses the Baroque rooms and 17th and 18th century art and the second floor features decorative arts of all ages and ceramics, ivory, jewellery, textiles and glasswork. Most of the works come from the region and neighbouring areas as the museum was established to preserve Piedmont heritage.
The Palazzo Madama boasts its appearance, setting, history, collections, a café, botanic gardens and a rooftop view over the city that is not to be missed. If you're in Turin, it's well worth a visit!
The basement has the Roman foundations and medieval works, the ground floor is made up of the 14th century castle and art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the first floor houses the Baroque rooms and 17th and 18th century art and the second floor features decorative arts of all ages and ceramics, ivory, jewellery, textiles and glasswork. Most of the works come from the region and neighbouring areas as the museum was established to preserve Piedmont heritage.
The Palazzo Madama boasts its appearance, setting, history, collections, a café, botanic gardens and a rooftop view over the city that is not to be missed. If you're in Turin, it's well worth a visit!
Photo credits
picture 3: Livioandronico2013 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Livioandronico2013 / CC BY-SA 3.0;