Palazzo Carignano (Carignano Palace), Turin
Carignano Palace on Carignano Square is a baroque showpiece with a strong claim on Italy鈥檚 national memory. Commissioned in 1679 by Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy-Carignano, who fancied himself something of an architecture critic, the palace was given form by Guarino Guarini. He turned brick into theater, bending the fa莽ade into an undulating sweep that still startles anyone expecting straight lines. Inside, stucco and frescoes covered the halls, while a forecourt and decorative windows doubled as a military brag sheet, commemorating the Carignan Regiment鈥檚 campaigns.
The palace, however, was not content with being merely handsome. It became a cradle of personalities who would ripple through European history. Marie-Louise of Savoy, later a confidant of Marie Antoinette, was born here, as was Prince Charles Emmanuel. Most famously, in 1820, the future King Vittorio Emanuele II-Italy鈥檚 first monarch after unification-entered the world under this roof. Fate seemed to enjoy dramatic timing, because only decades later the palace hosted the first Italian Parliament, from 1848 to 1861. Within its chambers, fiery debates shaped the new nation, proving the palace could serve as both royal nursery and republican stage without missing a beat.
Today, Carignano Palace holds the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento. Visitors can sift through documents, weapons, uniforms, and art that tell the story of unification, all while standing inside a UNESCO-listed Savoy residence. It鈥檚 not every day you get to tour a building that doubled as both birthplace of a king and birthplace of a country.
The palace, however, was not content with being merely handsome. It became a cradle of personalities who would ripple through European history. Marie-Louise of Savoy, later a confidant of Marie Antoinette, was born here, as was Prince Charles Emmanuel. Most famously, in 1820, the future King Vittorio Emanuele II-Italy鈥檚 first monarch after unification-entered the world under this roof. Fate seemed to enjoy dramatic timing, because only decades later the palace hosted the first Italian Parliament, from 1848 to 1861. Within its chambers, fiery debates shaped the new nation, proving the palace could serve as both royal nursery and republican stage without missing a beat.
Today, Carignano Palace holds the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento. Visitors can sift through documents, weapons, uniforms, and art that tell the story of unification, all while standing inside a UNESCO-listed Savoy residence. It鈥檚 not every day you get to tour a building that doubled as both birthplace of a king and birthplace of a country.
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Palazzo Carignano (Carignano Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Palazzo Carignano (Carignano Palace)
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Turin, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Turin
Creating your own self-guided walk in Turin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Turin Introduction Walking Tour
Mark Twain once wrote that Turin鈥檚 streets are 鈥渆xtravagantly wide鈥� and its houses stretch 鈥渁s straight as an arrow鈥�-and he was not exaggerating.
Turin's story begins with the Taurini, a Celtic tribe whose name is tied to the word for 鈥渕ountain.鈥� They lived at the foot of the Alps before the Romans arrived. In 28 BC, the Romans founded Taurinorum here, designing it in their... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Turin's story begins with the Taurini, a Celtic tribe whose name is tied to the word for 鈥渕ountain.鈥� They lived at the foot of the Alps before the Romans arrived. In 28 BC, the Romans founded Taurinorum here, designing it in their... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Coffee, Food and Chocolate Tour in Turin
Among other things, the capital of Italy's Piedmont region 鈥� Turin 鈥� is well known for its rich culinary tradition, which includes long-standing coffee and chocolate culture. There are several cafes and coffee houses in the city that have been in business for hundreds of years.
The most notable of them are found in the historic heart of the city, such as the Caff猫 al Bicerin.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
The most notable of them are found in the historic heart of the city, such as the Caff猫 al Bicerin.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles