Castello Cavour di Santena
The Memoriale Cavour occupies the castle of Santena, residence of the Benso family, and traces the life of the statesman Camillo Cavour through historic rooms and a park.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The castle of Santena is the country residence of the Benso family, to which Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, belonged. The building was designed by the architect Francesco Gallo between 1712 and 1720, while the family’s palace in Turin was designed by Gian Giacomo Plantery in 1729. The statesman is buried in the complex at Santena.
Today the castle houses the Polo cavouriano run by the Fondazione Camillo Cavour. The Memoriale Cavour occupies the ground floor, where the route begins in the Sala delle cacce, a large 18th-century room overlooking the park, and continues through the dining room, the drawing room and the rooms devoted to the Benso family and their alliances with the Savoy aristocracy.
The upper floors tell the story of Cavour’s life and work through a multimedia display; among the objects on show are the Sèvres vase given by Napoleon III and the portrait of the statesman painted by Ciseri. The complex also includes a park that can be visited and the Foundation’s historical archive.
Highlights
- Sala delle cacce, an 18th-century room overlooking the park
- Dining room with still lifes of the Crivelli family
- Sèvres vase given by Napoleon III to Cavour
- Portrait of Cavour painted by Ciseri
- Multimedia route through the statesman’s life over three floors
- Castle park and Camillo Cavour’s tomb
Permanent exhibition
- Memoriale Cavour – Multimedia route through the castle’s historic rooms, telling the story of the Benso family and the life of Camillo Cavour.
- Operated by
- Fondazione Camillo Cavour Santena
- Visitors per year
- approx. 6,430
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8over 65s, military personnel, groups of 6 to 9 people, holders of the Carta Docenti and of the FAI card |
| Children & teens | €2.50free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 13 €2.50; young people aged 14 to 18 €4. |
| Seniors | €8Reduced rate for over 65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companion. |
| Students & apprentices | €5University students €5; upper secondary schools €4; primary and lower secondary schools €2.50. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €7 per personPre-formed groups of at least 10 people, with one free admission for the group. |
| Families | €18Family ticket for a maximum of 5 people, with at most two adults. |
| Guided tour supplement (adults) | €6Tour of about 1 hour at set times, without reservation; young people aged 12–18 +€4, children up to 12 +€3. |
| Park admission | €5Free for holders of the Abbonamento Musei. |
Free admission for children under 6, Friends of the Foundation with membership card, holders of the Abbonamento Musei and the Torino + Piemonte Card, accredited journalists and on your birthday. Residents of Santena €5. Advance tickets on ticket.it.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
By train on the Torino–Asti line to Cambiano/Santena station; bus line 45 (timetables on gtt.to.it).
By car from the Turin ring road (tangenziale) / A21, exit Santena, then SS 29. Taxi service: Taxi Torino +39 011 5737.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum has a shop selling books and gifts.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Unguided visits are not permitted; guided tours at set times and tours for groups and schools are offered. Animals are not admitted, not even in bags or carriers. |
