One of the oldest residences of the House of Savoy, the Moncalieri Castle, located near Turin, rises in all its restrained monumentality guarding the Po River. Built in the Middle Ages for defensive purposes, it was transformed by the Savoy dukes into a “place of pleasures.” This required extensive expansions and decorations.
The presence of the court had a significant influence on the local nobility and the wealthiest classes, prompting them to build elegant villas on the hill and beautiful buildings in the historical center. Thus, the city went through a phase of significant transformations.
The women of the House of Savoy, Queen Maria Adelaide and Princesses Clotilde and Letizia, loved Moncalieri Castle. They organized parties and fun events here. Numerous reminders of the family still remain in the royal chambers, connected to a huge park that stretches over the hill
Moncalieri was widely used by the Savoy family and was the first castle occupied by French troops in 1798, who held it until 1814. The complex returned to the possession of Victor Emmanuel I and then passed to his distant nephew Charles Albert, Prince of Carignano. It was in this residence that young representatives of the House of Savoy got their education.
King Victor Emmanuel II preferred the Moncalieri Castle over his Royal Palace in Turin and decorated numerous apartments to his taste. In 1849, the famous Moncalieri Proclamation was signed within the walls of this palace, through which the king dissolved the Chamber of Deputies and approved a new chamber peace treaty with Austria.
Built in the 15th century by Princess Yolanda of Savoy, the castle became the favorite residence of King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia and Italy
Since 1921, the castle has housed the 1st battalion of Carabinieri, but the historic halls can still be freely visited.
On April 5th, 2008, a fire broke out in the castle, damaging one of the towers and the hall where the proclamation was signed. After nine years of restoration, the royal apartments were reopened to visitors. These luxurious interiors can only be seen three days a week, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with guided tours conducted in the presence of the Carabinieri.
