Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea

About the museum

Rivoli Castle stands on a hill about 15 kilometres from Turin. An earlier building probably dates back to the 9th century. From the late 12th century the site, strategic between Turin and the Susa Valley, passed to the Savoy, and around 1245 Amedeo IV had a true fortified structure built. After the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis of 1559, the complex was enlarged as a temporary residence for Duke Emanuel Philibert, to a design by Ascanio Vitozzi, later taken up by Carlo and Amedeo di Castellamonte. In the same period the Manica Lunga was built, a low detached building intended for receptions, the Savoy picture gallery and stables.

At the beginning of the 18th century the castle was set on fire and looted by the French during the War of the Spanish Succession. Victor Amadeus II ordered its reconstruction and entrusted the works to Michelangelo Garove and then to Filippo Juvarra, who conceived a grandiose project that remained unfinished. The building, long abandoned, was recovered in the 20th century through the intervention of the architect Andrea Bruno.

Since 1984 it has housed the Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, which combines the historic building with modern architectural interventions. It is part of the UNESCO site of the Savoy Residences. The museum comprises the Castello building, the Manica Lunga and the Collezione Cerruti, housed in a villa in Rivoli and visitable with a dedicated ticket.

Highlights

• Permanent collection of contemporary art
• Castello building with rooms on three floors and architectural interventions by Andrea Bruno
• Manica Lunga with café, bookshop and library
• Collezione Cerruti, visitable with a guided tour
• Tactile models of the castle for blind and visually impaired people
• Savoy residence, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezione permanente del Castello di Rivoli – Works of contemporary art from the museum’s collection, displayed in the rooms of the Castello building.
• Collezione Cerruti – Art collection housed in a villa in Rivoli, visitable only with a guided tour on Saturdays and Sundays.

Founded

1984

Admission & discounts

Free admission: All Saturdays for residents of Rivoli (including for the Collezione Cerruti, subject to availability of slots at the ticket office)

Free admission also for tourist guides, members of ICOM and CIMAM, holders of the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte e Valle d’Aosta, the Torino + Piemonte Card, the Royal Card, the Contemporary Card and the Passaporto Culturale (first year of the child’s life, with the family). Free tickets are not bought online but collected at the ticket office on the day of the visit. With a ticket for the Reggia di Venaria, there is a discount on the Castello di Rivoli ticket, and vice versa.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible to people with mobility disabilities by two ramps, on the side of the Castello building and on the side of the Manica Lunga, with an intercom to call staff. The floors are connected by a lift and ramps; accessible toilets are on the first and second floors of the Castello and on the first floor of the Manica Lunga. A wheelchair is available at reception. In the Manica Lunga there are two tactile models of the castle. The Education Department organises routes for people with sensory, cognitive and psychological disabilities (educa@castellodirivoli.org, 011 9565213).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The museum is family and kids friendly: family activities every third weekend of the month and on other special occasions, changing tables in the accessible toilets, and a breastfeeding corner on the first floor of the Castello. It takes part in the Nati con la Cultura project with the Passaporto Culturale.

Getting there & parking

The integrated ticket for the train Turin–Alpignano plus the shuttle costs €3.80 and is valid for 100 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café and bookshop in the Manica Lunga. Bottle warmers and high chairs are available in the café.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit