Castello della Manta

About the museum

The castle of Manta was built in the 13th century as a military outpost, about forty kilometres from Turin, and for four hundred years it was the residence of the counts Saluzzo della Manta. In the 15th century Valerano, a learned lord and regent of the Marquisate of Saluzzo, transformed it into a refined noble residence and commissioned the frescoes of the Sala baronale.

The cycle, a masterpiece of European late-Gothic painting, draws on the chivalric romance “Le chevalier errant” by Thomas III: on the south wall the legendary Fountain of Youth is depicted, while on the opposite wall the Nine Worthies and the Nine Heroines of classical antiquity parade in 15th-century dress. Around the middle of the 16th century the complex was further transformed; the Salone delle Grottesche and the Galleria date from this period and were brought to light by a restoration.

The castle was later used as a military hospital, and in the 19th century it regained its splendour thanks to the counts Radicati. In 1985 Countess Elisabetta De Rege Provana donated it to the FAI. The visit also includes the old kitchens and cellars, the small church of the Virgin at the foot of the castle, with a second cycle of frescoes devoted to the Passion of Christ, and the park overlooking the hills of the Val Varaita.

Highlights

• Sala baronale with the late-Gothic cycle of Heroes and Heroines
• Fountain of Youth
• Salone delle Grottesche and 16th-century Galleria
• 16th-century kitchen and cellars
• Little church of the Virgin with frescoes of the Passion of Christ
• Garden and park overlooking the Val Varaita

Permanent exhibition

• Sala baronale e percorso del castello – Visit to the castle over three floors, with the frescoed Sala baronale, the Salone delle Grottesche, the 16th-century kitchen, the garden and the little church with the Passion frescoes.

Operated by

FAI – Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano

Visitors per year

approx. 36,852

Admission & discounts

Free admission for FAI members, INTO members, Mécènes and Bienfaiteurs Amis du Louvre members, residents of the Comune of Manta and accredited journalists. With the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte VDA: €8 (€10.50 with a guided tour); the subscription receipt must be shown at the ticket office.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The castle and garden are partly accessible. The ground floor has no steps; the upper floors can only be reached by stairs; the ticket office is on the first floor, reached by a flight of stairs. The garden paths are gravel, and the uphill path to the church is cobbled; for the apse part of the church a portable ramp must be requested. It is advisable, after prior notice, to drive to the garden in front of the castle and then move the car to the public car park with a reserved space. Folding wheelchairs are available free of charge. Videoguides in LIS and guided tours in LIS by booking (faimanta@fondoambiente.it).

Kids & families

Young people aged 6 to 18 have the reduced ticket, and the family ticket covers two adults with children aged 6 to 18.

Getting there & parking

By car: A6 motorway Turin–Savona, exit Marene, then Savigliano and Saluzzo, then follow the signs for Manta.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit