Palazzo
Carignano
In the historic center of Turin, a few steps from Piazza Castello, stands one of the city's symbols: Palazzo Carignano, a masterpiece of Piedmontese Baroque and a key place in Italian history.
Strolling along Via Accademia delle Scienze, you come across a unique wavy red brick facade.
It bears the unmistakable mark of Guarino Guarini, the architect who created this extraordinary building in 1679, inspired by Bernini's designs for the Louvre Palace.
You are not only in front of an architectural masterpiece, but you are inside a living place of our history, commissioned by Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia-Carignano in the seventeenth century to affirm the prestige of his family.
They were born here Carlo Alberto e Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy, and within these walls a part of the country's destiny was written.
In 1848, the ballroom was transformed into the Chamber of Deputies of the Subalpine Parliament, which remained operational until 1860, when it reached its maximum capacity. And it was in the courtyard of Palazzo Carignano, where a provisional Chamber of Deputies was set up, that the Unification of Italy was proclaimed on March 17, 1861.
Since 1938, the main floor of Palazzo Carignano has been home to the National Museum of Risorgimento Italian, the only museum of its kind to be recognized as being of “national interest” for the significance of its collections.
By visiting it, you will pass through 30 rooms full of original documents, works of art and testimonies that tell the facts and protagonists of the Risorgimento, of the unification of Italy and of the European nationality processes.
But the most exciting heart of the visit remains intact: first the Chamber of Deputies of the Subalpine Parliament, declared a national monument and the only original parliamentary hall from 1848 still in Europe, and then the evocative Hall of the Italian Chamber, with four large canvases celebrating the decisive battles of the Risorgimento.
On the ground floor, the elegant Apartments of the Princes of Carignano await you, with gilded wood paneling and mythological frescoes. Palazzo Carignano in Turin is not just a palace, but an invitation to delve into history and rediscover the roots of who we are.
FAQ
Where is Palazzo Carignano located?
Palazzo Carignano is located in the historic center of Turin, you can access it from Piazza Carignano or from Piazza Carlo Alberto, just steps from Piazza Castello. It's easily accessible on foot, by bike, or by public transportation. The closest metro station is Porta Nuova.
What can I see at Palazzo Carignano?
Palazzo Carignano hosts two distinct but closely linked realities: on the main floor is the National Museum of Risorgimento Italian, with 30 exhibition halls, the Chamber of Deputies of the Subalpine Parliament, and the Hall of the Italian Chamber; on the ground floor are the Apartments of the Princes of Carignano, part of the Royal Residences of Savoy, which can be visited through a separate entrance.
For information on these spaces, visit the official website of the Royal Residences of Savoy.
How can I visit Palazzo Carignano?
You can access Palazzo Carignano by purchasing a ticket for the National Museum of Risorgimento Italian, which includes admission to the museum section of the palace. Access to the Princes' Apartments, however, follows a different procedure.