The Parliament
Subalpine
The Chamber of Deputies of the Subalpine Parliament is housed within the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento, in the beating heart of Palazzo Carignano in Turin.
The year is 1848. The wind of revolutions shakes Europe, and the Kingdom of Sardinia also begins a profound change: the Subalpine Parliament is born, the first representative assembly of Savoyard Piedmont.
Il re Carlo Alberto promulga lo Statuto Albertino e sceglie Palazzo Carignano come sede della nuova aula parlamentare. Il salone ellittico seicentesco del palazzo, già usato per feste e cerimonie, viene trasformato da Carlo Sada, in poco più di un mese, nella prima Camera dei deputati.
Sober, solemn, designed to give shape to a modern institution: today this chamber is the only one from 1848 that has remained intact throughout Europe and is a national monument.
Key figures of the Risorgimento, such as Cavour, Gioberti, and D'Azeglio, spoke from the ivory-colored benches and the amphitheater-style seating.
With the annexations of Lombardy, Emilia, and Tuscany, and the unification to the center and south, the old hall of honor became too small to accommodate the deputies. Thus, on December 28, 1860, at 2:30 PM, the last session hosted in this chamber was closed, as evidenced by the clock and calendar that you can still see inside, placed on the sides of the large portrait of Vittorio Emanuele II.
Observing the Chamber of the Subalpine Parliament in Palazzo Carignano makes you feel part of something great because in this room a new idea of nation, rights, and representation was discussed for the first time.
Today you can visit the Subalpine Parliament within the exhibition itinerary of the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento. It is one of the most iconic places in the museum, an authentic symbol of democracy and Italian identity.
FAQ
How can I visit the Subalpine Parliament?
The Chamber of Deputies of the Subalpine Parliament is an integral part of the exhibition itinerary of the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento. It can be visited with the museum entrance ticket. The chamber is visible from multiple angles along the museum path, through observation points designed to enhance its architecture and historical function. It is not always fully accessible to the public, but it is possible to admire it from different perspectives. To fully experience it, we recommend using the audio guide or participating in a guided tour.
Where is the Subalpine Parliament located?
The chamber is located inside Palazzo Carignano, the historical seat of the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento, in the center of Turin (Via Accademia delle Scienze 5). It is room 16 of the exhibition itinerary.
On what occasions does the Subalpine Parliament open to the public in an extraordinary way?
In addition to the visit included in the museum itinerary, during the year the Museum organizes extraordinary openings, special events and visits dedicated to the Chamber of the Subalpine Parliament.
To stay updated, consult the Events section of the site or subscribe to our newsletter.
Is it possible to visit only the Chamber of the Subalpine Parliament?
No, the chamber is part of the museum itinerary and cannot be visited separately.
The visit to the Chamber is part of a broader historical narrative, which enhances its context and significance within the history of the Risorgimento.