Castello del Valentino

The Castle of Valentino (Italian Castello del Valentino) is an historic building in the north-west Italian city of Turin. It is located in Valentino Park, and is the seat of the Architecture Faculty of the Politecnico di Torino. It is one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997.

History

The ancient castle was bought by Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy on the advice of Andrea Palladio. The name Valentino, first mentioned in 1275, seems to derive from a saint called Valentine whose relics were venerated in a church which stood nearby. The current structure is due to Princess Christine Marie of France (1606-1663), wife of Victor Amadeus I, who dwelt here from 1630. It has a horseshoe shape, with four round towers at each angle, and a wide inner court with a marble pavement. The ceilings of the false upper floors are clearly in transalpino (i.e. French) style. The façade sports a huge coat of arms of the House of Savoy. Works lasted until 1660.

Minor modifications were made in the early nineteenth century; at this time, too, much of the seventeenth-century furniture was carried off by French troops. For the next half century the palace was more or less abandoned and fell into a state of disrepair. Renovations were carried out in 1860 when it was selected as the seat of the engineering faculty of Turin; it has been further restored in recent years.

Today it is the central building of the Architecture faculty of the Politecnico di Torino.

Points of interest

  • Orto Botanico dell'Università di Torino, a historic botanical garden in the castle grounds.
  • Since 2006, the Castello del Valentino has been the finish of the Raid Hannibal
Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Luigi RIVELLA
8 June 2017
Salone dell'Auto...
Italia.it
19 February 2014
Nel cuore verde del parco di Torino, il Castello del Valentino ha conosciuto nei secoli diverse destinazioni d’uso prima di diventare sede della Facoltà di Architettura del Politecnico di Torino.
BBPlanet
2 October 2012
Costruito nel 1200 a ferro di cavallo, si dice che la duchessa Maria Cristina di Francia avesse voluto questo edificio dai Savoia per incontrare i suoi amanti di cui si liberava gettandoli nel pozzo.
Sarha Nervo
20 September 2014
Una cornice incredibilmente bella per la facoltà di architettura! Gli studenti del poli (tra cui io) sono molto fortunati!
Paolo
5 March 2015
Bellissimo peccato non aperto al pubblico,salvo le aperture del fai
Lina Maria
28 July 2013
Da visitare, molto bello!
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.8/10
Soudy and 7,455 more people have been here
Map
0.1km from Viale Virgilio, 10126 Turin, Italy Get directions
Fri 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sat 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
Sun 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Mon 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Tue 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Wed 9:00 AM–8:00 PM

Castello del Valentino on Foursquare

Castello del Valentino on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
BLU HOTEL

starting $71

TownHouse 70

starting $182

NH Torino Santo Stefano

starting $377

Hotel Chelsea

starting $115

Hotel Des Artistes

starting $57

Loft in Centre of Torino

starting $0

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Museo Egizio

The Museo Egizio is a museum in Turin, Italy, specialising in Egyptian

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Palazzo Carignano

The Palazzo Carignano (Carignan Palace) is a historical building in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Villa della Regina

The Villa della Regina is a palace outside the city of Turin, Italy.

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Mole Antonelliana

The Mole Antonelliana is a major landmark of the Italian city of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Palazzo Madama, Turin

Palazzo Madama e Casaforte degli Acaja is a palace in Turin, northern

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Royal Palace of Turin

The Royal Palace of Turin (italiano. Palazzo Reale di Torino) is a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Turin Cathedral

Turin Cathedral (Italian Duomo di Torino), dedicated to Saint John the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Castle of Moncalieri

The Castle of Moncalieri is a palace in Moncalieri (province of

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloss Neuschwanstein, pronounced ])

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tower of London

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Château de Vincennes

The Château de Vincennes is a massive 14th and 17th century French

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Alcázar of Segovia

The Alcázar of Segovia (literally, Segovia Castle) is a stone

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle (Danish: Rosenborg Slot) is a renaissance castle

See all similar places