VENARIA ROYAL PALACE (TURIN) private tour: the residence of the king of Savoy

The guided tour of the Venaria Reale Palace is a fascinating journey into the courtly atmosphere of the 17th and 18th centuries, visiting one of the most beautiful Savoy Residences in Piedmont, located just outside Turin. Commissioned by the House of Savoy in the 17th century as a hunting lodge, the palace was expanded and beautified over the years, becoming a grand Royal Palace.

The tour begins at the elegant Court of Honor, featuring the Fountain of the Stag’s Water Theater, one of the most beautiful fountains offering a unique dancing water show at specific times. Inside the palace, visitors will explore the ground floor, retracing the history of the Savoy dynasty through various paintings. The Noble Floor offers highlights like the Great Gallery, an architectural masterpiece of the 17th century adorned with exquisite stucco and large windows. Originally, it connected the royal apartments to those of the heir to the throne.

The Alfieri Rotunda showcases statues representing the four seasons and ceremonial routes that display expansive palace spaces filled with paintings, 18th-century furniture, clocks, and chandeliers, recreating the courtly ambiance of the era.

The tour continues on the Noble Floor with a visit to the Diana Gallery, featuring fine frescoes, and the royal apartments, including the Princess Ludovica Apartment, which houses a permanent exhibition of 17th-century paintings by great masters such as Guercino, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Guido Reni. A visit to the magnificent Chapel of St. Hubert, dedicated to the patron saint of hunters, highlights stunning decorations and light effects from large windows. The majestic main altar appears almost suspended, surrounded by marble angel statues.

The splendor of the Savoy dynasty is further reflected in the Citroniera, the ancient citrus greenhouse, and the Royal or Juvarrian Stables, named after the architect Juvarra who designed them. Here, visitors will find the Royal Carriages used by the Savoy family over the years and the Bucintoro, a gondola-like boat with majestic decorations used for royal river parades.

The guided tour concludes with a walk through the palace’s spectacular and vast gardens, featuring a grand canal dividing the Upper and Lower Parks. Visitors can admire orchards, perfectly maintained trees of various species, and scenic terraces and staircases, all contributing to the title of Italy’s most beautiful park, with breathtaking views of the snow-capped Alps.

Included:

• Private tour with licensed guide

Not included:

• Ticket entry
  
• Food and drink
• Transfer service

What to bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Water
• Sun hat on hot days

Meeting point:

• Reggia Venaria royal house outside the ticket office