Palazzo Madama – Museo Civico d'Arte Antica

About the museum

Palazzo Madama grew up around the two towers of the ancient Roman gate and for centuries was the defensive core of the city, later becoming a court residence. It takes its name from the two Madame Reali, Maria Cristina of France and Maria Giovanna Battista of Savoy-Nemours, who lived there from the 17th century and renovated it several times. The apartment of Maria Giovanna Battista and the Salone, fitted out in 1713–1714 to celebrate Victor Amadeus II on the transition from duchy to kingdom, bear witness to this phase.

The grand Baroque façade facing Piazza Castello is the work of Filippo Juvarra. In the 19th century the palace housed a variety of uses, from an astronomical observatory to the Royal Gallery, and the Hall of the Subalpine Senate. The palace was struck by the bombing of 13 August 1943.

Since 1934 it has been home to the Museo Civico d'Arte Antica, which has gradually expanded its collections and routes: after the restoration of the palace and a lengthy renovation, the museum now presents sculptures, paintings, decorative arts and objects from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, together with a medieval botanical garden and a panoramic tower.

The museum is part of the Fondazione Torino Musei, together with GAM and MAO.

Highlights

• Façade and staircase by Filippo Juvarra
• Acaia Hall with paintings by Jaquerio, Antonello da Messina and other masterpieces
• Medieval botanical garden
• Panoramic tower
• Salone and the apartment of the Madame Reali
• Collections of decorative arts and ceramics

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni permanenti – Sculptures, paintings, decorative arts and objects from the Middle Ages to the 18th century in the palace rooms, with a medieval botanical garden and a panoramic tower.

Founded

1934

Operated by

Fondazione Torino Musei

Visitors per year

approx. 319,001

Admission & discounts

Prices are for the permanent collections; for temporary exhibitions the rates listed on the exhibition pages apply. Free admission also for journalists, tour guides, ICOM members, holders of the Abbonamento Musei and the Torino+Piemonte Card; free tickets for minors and people with disabilities are collected only at the ticket office. A combined multi-museum ticket covers GAM, MAO and Palazzo Madama. Online tickets via the webshop of the Fondazione Torino Musei (official ticket seller TicketOne). Payment in cash, PagoBANCOMAT, Visa and Mastercard.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance is accessible to people with mobility impairments, and wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge. The museum has a lift with Braille numbers and, on the ground floor, a mobile platform lift to overcome the steps to the Sala Staffarda. Accessible toilets with a baby-changing facility. Tactile maps, raised-line drawings and tactile cards can be borrowed at the ticket office; a guided tactile route and downloadable social stories for preparing the visit are also available. Parking spaces for people with disabilities are nearby; lines 13 and 15 have low-floor platforms.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers educational activities for schools and families. All toilets have baby-changing facilities.

Getting there & parking

Car access to the city centre is restricted (ZTL): information is on the website of the City of Turin.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Caffè Madama and the museum bookshop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Hire of spaces and private visits available on request.

Plan your visit