Piemonte Italia

La Reggia di Venaria

The Baroque made its entrance into Italy along with Emanuele Filiberto and soon became the outer manifestation of a kingdom that played a fundamental role in Italian history, the Kingdom of Savoy.There is a tight bond between the Baroque and the way the state’s celebrations were represented. For this reason, the greatest expressions of this style are found in Turin and the areas near this ex-capital, where Savoy family members loved to go and rest and where it was no accident that they had their luxurious royal residences built. One of these is Stupinigi, a small town a few kilometres from the capital of Piedmont, which hosts the Palazzina di Caccia, a hunting palace that was one of the Savoys’ favourite summer residences.
Turin has been crowned by two jewels of the Baroque, the Cappella della Sindone or “Chapel of the Shroud” designed by Guarino Guarini and the Santuario della Consolata or “Sanctuary of Mary the Consoler.” In addition, the Basilica of Superga treats us to a wonderful view of the city. This Baroque monument houses most of the tombs of the Savoys. If we were to trace out a route through this extravagant style characteristic of the eighteenth century, we would have to leave Turin and go out to discover various districts where these monuments are conserved – the Sacri Monti or “Holy Mountains” of Piedmont, the Castle of Racconigi in Cuneo Province, the Palazzo Borromeo on the island Isola Bella, the Basilica of San Gaudenzio in Novara and the numerous piazzas and monumental buildings spread throughout the region.