Explore The Secret Medieval Village In Turin

The Medieval Village in Turin is a very special tourist attraction, the likes of which cannot be seen anywhere else. While you will find villages, towns and cities all across Italy that have medieval quartres or centres, they have all been altered to some degree by the passing of time and progress. The Medieval Village, placed in Valentino Park, however, is an unchanging glimpse into the past. Built in the 19th century, it may not actually be authentically medieval but it is a very faithful, perfect replica of a 15th century Piedmontese Village and the closest thing you will get to actually travelling back through time and space. For history lovers or those merely intrigued by novelty, the “village” is a beautiful architectural feat in a city of architectural feats that is sure to delight. Just find a vacation rental in Piedmont and you can spend a pleasant day exploring the city of Turin and this hidden curiosity.

The village built between 1882 and 1884 and was the brainchild of Alfredo D'Andrade, a Portuguese medievalist and architect who worked as a restorer on many castles and abbeys in Piedmont. Using his studies and first-hand knowledge of such buildings that was garnered from his time restoring the real deal, he oversaw the project and built the village without inventing anything; rather, he used the best known buildings in Piedmont and in the Valle d'Aosta as the models for this extraordinary undertaking. The “village” is made up of porticoed houses, narrow streets and lively artisan shops, many-towered houses, the Pilgrim Inn, a fountain, a bakery, a drawbridge, models of two houses from Bussoleno, the house of Alba, the house of Frossasco, the tower of Alba and the house of Courgnè, a church inspired by the ones in Verzuolo and Ciriè, some medieval war machines and a castle inspired by Fénis and Verrès.

The castle is particularly captivating with a lord's chambers decorated in rich furniture and furnishings based on 15th century castle life; a fully stocked armory, kitchens and a throne room with pictures of valiant heroes and heroines inspired by the Chevalier Errant of Tommaso III of Saluzzo, a chapel with frescoes by Giuseppe Rollini after Jaquerio di S. Antonio di Ranverso and a stunning tripartite medieval garden: the Garden of Pleasure, with roses, primroses, violets and others; the Garden of Simple Remedies, containing herbs used by medieval pharmacists; and the Kitchen Garden.

The medieval replica was a pavilion for the International Exhibition held in 1884, and was supposed to be demolished afterwards but was preserved instead and turned into a city museum in 1942. The project was actually the work of many hands, not just D'Andrade, with many writers, artists and historians coming together to make it come to life. This included Piedmontese writer and playwright Giuseppe Giacosa, librettist of famous operas by Puccini such as “La Bohème” and “Madama Butterfly”, who put his vast knowledge of history and culture to good use in helping realise the village.

If you're visiting this part of Italy, the Medieval Village is a must see!