La Venaria Reale

Built as a royal hunting lodge from 1675, this grew and grew into a humonguous bling palace, trying to outshine Versailles. It became a barracks and was knocked about in Napoleonic times, remaining military until the 1930s, then the vandals set about it. Restoration was piecemeal until 1996, then a ten-year project brought it back to its former baroque opulence. Highlights include the Salone di Diana, the Galleria Grande, the chapel of Sant’Uberto and the Scuderie (stables). The Gardens are a modern re-imagining. The palace was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

• outdoors
• history

Address

Piazza della Repubblica 4, Venaria Reale

Getting there

10 km northwest of city; train towards Ceres or bus

Hours

Tue-Fri 09:30-17:00, Sat Sun 09:30-18:30

Price

Adult €20, conc €16, under-22 €10

Website

lavenariareale.it (opens in a new tab)