Guided Tour of La Venaria Reale

During this experience, you will step into a place where art, history and nature coexist in perfect harmony, creating scenes of timeless beauty. It is no coincidence that La Venaria Reale, just outside Turin, is often defined as the “Italian Versailles”. 

Commissioned by Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoy and built in the mid-17th century, the Reggia is one of the most important examples of Baroque architecture in Italy and is now among the country’s most visited cultural sites. In 1997, it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, officially joining the ranks of Italy’s and the world’s greatest cultural treasures.

Originally conceived as a hunting residence, Venaria Reale was designed by architect Amedeo di Castellamonte. Over the centuries, it underwent major expansions and restorations that shaped its present appearance, largely thanks to the genius of Filippo Juvarra, who created a harmonious, elegant and perfectly proportioned Baroque masterpiece. Thanks to an extraordinary restoration project launched in 1997, today the Venaria Reale stands as a magnificent monumental complex, surrounded by wonderful gardens, fountains and water features.

The guided tour begins in Piazza della Repubblica, in front of the majestic Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower), where one of our professional guides will welcome you and lead you on this unforgettable journey through one of the most iconic symbols of the House of Savoy. From here, you will enter the oldest part of the Reggia: big spaces once used as cellars, kitchens, staff quarters and stables. In these rooms, you will admire paintings that tell the story of the Savoy dynasty and uncover fascinating insights into daily court life, enriched by anecdotes, curiosities and hidden secrets. You will then move into the most artistic and representative section of the residence, dedicated to the Royal Family. You will stroll through the magnificent Royal Apartments, immersed in a captivating sequence of masterpieces: refined stucco, tapestries, paintings, monumental staircases and elegant furnishings, perfectly preserved and evocative of the splendour of the Savoy court. The visit concludes with the exploration of the vast estate and the gardens surrounding the Venaria Reale. Expect magnificent Italian-style gardens, terraces, theatrical fountains and tree-lined avenues enhanced by refined floral displays.

Like many historic sites in the area, the Reggia di Venaria Reale is wrapped in an aura of mystery. With our guide, you will discover intriguing anecdotes, curiosities and fascinating stories that make the experience even more engaging.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to embark on a true journey through time, discovering the history of Italy’s last Royal Family: the House of Savoy.

What to Expect

Diana’s Room

The enchanting Diana’s Room is the central hall of the palace and one of the most representative rooms of the Reggia. This sumptuous space is adorned with decorations celebrating mythology and the power of the Savoy’s House. Once used for lavish banquets, the hall features a complex decorative cycle spread over three levels, explaining the exploits of Diana, goddess of the hunt, largely created by the Flemish painter Jan Miel, active in Turin during the 17th century. The ceiling, richly decorated in stucco, hosts the famous fresco Jupiter Granting Supreme Power to Diana of the Hunt. In the central section of the ceiling, although some works have been lost, seven paintings depict the Dukes of Savoy on horseback, arranged in a far-from-random order. The lower section is decorated with ten hunting scenes. We recommend taking a moment to pause, observe and imagine this hall animated by court life—an experience that will thrill you deeply.

Galleria Grande

The tour continues into the Galleria Grande, also known as the Galleria di Diana, the true symbol of the Venaria Reale and one of the absolute masterpieces of European Baroque architecture. Nearly 80 metres long, it was designed by Filippo Juvarra in the early 18th century to connect the King’s apartment with that of the heir to the throne. Large windows, an elegant black-and-white chequered floor, refined stucco decorations on the ceiling and a rhythmic sequence of arches create extraordinary plays of light and perspective. Your guide will reveal Juvarra’s ingenious architectural solutions for modulating natural light, resulting in a space that is majestic, luminous and surprisingly harmonious. Be ready to capture one of the most iconic views of the entire complex.

Cappella di Sant’Uberto

Built in the early 18th century, the Cappella di Sant’Uberto is dedicated to the patron saint of hunters, paying tribute to the hunting tradition of the House of Savoy. Also designed by Filippo Juvarra, it impresses with its perfect balance between grandeur and harmony.

The imposing dome, refined stucco decorations and elegant columns are outstanding examples of Italian Baroque style. Natural light filtering through the dome and windows creates an intimate and spiritual atmosphere, making this visit particularly evocative.

Le Scuderie Juvarriane

An integral part of Juvarra’s overall project is Scuderie Juvarriane, once housed the royal horses and served as a symbol of the Reggia’s prestige. Today, these spaces host temporary exhibitions, artistic installations and a valuable permanent collection of historic carriages—continuing to tell the story of Savoy grandeur and splendour.

The Bucintoro

Inside the Scuderie, you will find one of the Reggia’s most precious treasures: the Bucintoro, the only surviving example in the world of a royal ceremonial boat, meticulously restored. It was gifted in 1731 by the Republic of Venice to Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy, symbolising the bond between Venice and the House of Savoy. Approximately 15 metres long, it was used for ceremonies and parades on the River Po and other waterways in Piedmont. Its magnificent royal cabin, finely carved and gilded wooden decorations and richly adorned hull, inspired by Venetian Baroque style, make it truly extraordinary. For the most curious visitors, the guide will talk about the incredible journey that brought it from Venice to Turin. 

The Gardens of the Reggia

The magnificent Gardens of the Reggia, awarded “Most Beautiful Park in Italy” in 2019, represent a fascinating dialogue between past and present. Originally commissioned by Carlo Emanuele II in the 17th century to celebrate the greatness of the Savoy monarchy, they were later expanded and redesigned in Baroque style by Juvarra. After centuries of neglect—beginning in the Napoleonic era, when the area was transformed into a military parade ground—the gardens were completely restored in 2007. Today they enchant visitors with their geometric perspectives that seem to stretch endlessly toward the Alps. Highlights include the Gran Parterre, the Tempio di Diana, and the Collina delle Rose. You will be captivated by a garden filled with fountains, pools, water features, geometric hedges, flowers, trees, orchards and sculptures—an immersive sensory and visual experience that will make your visit truly unforgettable.