The Villa della Regina is a seventeenth century palace in Turin, Piedmont. It was originally designed by Ascanio Vitozzi in 1615 but after his death that year, the project was given over to Carlo and Amadeo di Castellamonte. The building was commissioned by Maurice of Savoy, then brother to the Savoy King.
As one of the Piedmontese Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, the Villa della Regina is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a museum.
Only relatively recently was it opened to the public after restorations were completed in 2006.
As one of the Piedmontese Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, the Villa della Regina is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a museum.
Only relatively recently was it opened to the public after restorations were completed in 2006.
If you are interested in art, architecture, the history of Italy, gardens or royalty, this will be just the place for you. Find a holiday rental in Piedmont and come explore this wonderful building and its grounds for yourself.
The residence was built as a vigna collinare, or hill vineyard, and was renowned as a pleasure palace. It is made up of a complex of noble buildings at the centre of Italian gardens, with agricultural areas (the vineyard, farmhouse and vegetable gardens), service buildings and stables. The villa was originally known as the Vigna and gained the name Villa della Regina from one particular resident.
The residence was built as a vigna collinare, or hill vineyard, and was renowned as a pleasure palace. It is made up of a complex of noble buildings at the centre of Italian gardens, with agricultural areas (the vineyard, farmhouse and vegetable gardens), service buildings and stables. The villa was originally known as the Vigna and gained the name Villa della Regina from one particular resident.
When Maurice died, he left the villa to his wife. From her it passed to Anne Marie d'Orléans. For her, it was a space to retire to for relaxation when possible. When her husband (Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy) became King of Sicily the building came to be known as Villa della Regina – meaning, literally, Villa of the Queen. Anne Marie died in the villa in 1728.
Due to severe damage during bombings in 1942, the villa lay abandoned for decades. In 1994, it was given to the state and restoration was underway until it was reopened.
Now a national museum, it houses frescoes and paintings by Giovanni Battista Crosato, Daniel Seyter and Corrado Giaquinto in the main room, as well as grotesques of Filippo Minei and paintings by the brothers Domenico and Giuseppe Valeriani. There are also holdings of antique furniture such as precious Chinese cabinets in lacquer and golden wood.
Entrance is free and the villa is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. The building itself is stunning, the collections are extensive and any visit would be rounded off by a wander around the beautiful gardens to finish. If you find yourself in Turin, this is a free and fun activity close to the city centre.
Due to severe damage during bombings in 1942, the villa lay abandoned for decades. In 1994, it was given to the state and restoration was underway until it was reopened.
Now a national museum, it houses frescoes and paintings by Giovanni Battista Crosato, Daniel Seyter and Corrado Giaquinto in the main room, as well as grotesques of Filippo Minei and paintings by the brothers Domenico and Giuseppe Valeriani. There are also holdings of antique furniture such as precious Chinese cabinets in lacquer and golden wood.
Entrance is free and the villa is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. The building itself is stunning, the collections are extensive and any visit would be rounded off by a wander around the beautiful gardens to finish. If you find yourself in Turin, this is a free and fun activity close to the city centre.