Castello del Valentino
Savoy residence on the banks of the Po, the historic seat of the Politecnico di Torino and a UNESCO site, visitable with free guided tours on Saturday mornings.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
In 1564, after the peace of Cateau-Cambrésis, Emanuel Philibert of Savoy bought a riverside villa on the left bank of the Po. From 1620 Christina of France had the palace transformed into a maison de plaisance (pleasure house), to a design by the ducal engineer Carlo di Castellamonte, with four corner towers and a layout combining French and Italian models.
With the Casati Law of 1859 the Regia Scuola di Applicazione per gli Ingegneri (Royal School of Engineering) was founded in the castle, and in 1906 the union of this school with the Regio Museo Industriale gave rise to the Politecnico di Torino. Today the Departments of Architecture and Design and of Science, Project and Land Policies work there; in 2006 it hosted the Casa Italia during the Winter Olympic Games.
The castle is part of the UNESCO site of the Savoy Residences. The visit route includes the representative rooms of the piano nobile (main floor), such as the Salone d’Onore and the Stanza dei Pianeti, the Sala delle Colonne and the chapel on the ground floor. Visits are possible only by booking and in groups accompanied by scholars of the Politecnico.
Highlights
- Representative rooms of the piano nobile
- Salone d’Onore
- Sala delle Colonne and chapel on the ground floor
- UNESCO site of the Savoy Residences
- Virtual tour of the castle
Permanent exhibition
- Stanze di rappresentanza del piano nobile – Decorated rooms of the piano nobile, including the Salone d’Onore, the Stanza dei Pianeti and the Stanza delle Feste e dei Fasti, visited on an accompanied route.
- Operated by
- Politecnico di Torino
- Visitors per year
- approx. 7,500
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
The guided tours are free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Along the route, lifts and other means are used to overcome barriers. Crossing the courtyard with cobbles can be difficult with wheelchairs, and an alternative access to the piano nobile is provided. On request, models and tactile boards are available for visually impaired and blind people. Specific needs should be reported on arrival, before the visit.
Kids & families
- Stroller-friendly
Strollers and pushchairs are admitted; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Coat check: not available
No cloakroom service: suitcases, backpacks, bottles, umbrellas and sharp objects may not be brought in.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Temporary rental of spaces: requests by booking to prenotazione.eventi@polito.it.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photographs for personal, non-commercial use are permitted. |
| Good to know | The visit is commented on by scholars of the history of architecture from the Politecnico. In addition to the security checks at the entrance, visitors may not leave the routes or touch furnishings and works. Dogs and small pet animals are admitted to the piano nobile in a carrier. Strollers and pushchairs are admitted; children must be accompanied by an adult. |
