REGGIA DI VENARIA

The Reggia di Venaria Reale is one of the largest and most spectacular royal residences in Europe. Covering an area of 80,000 m², the complex comprises a palace, gardens, royal stables and a town. It was designed by Amedeo di Castellamonte between 1658 and 1679, at the behest of Charles Emmanuel II of Savoy. The palace was renovated by leading architects such as Juvarra, Alfieri and Garove. A majestic example of universal Baroque, built as a hunting lodge (hence its name: Vénerie), the Venaria was a major entertainment venue for the court and a symbol of the absolutism of the House of Savoy. The site was inscribed on Unesco's World Heritage List in 1997, and subsequently restored over a period of eight years. After almost two centuries of neglect, intensive restoration work has brought the site back to life. The complex is now one of Italy's most visited cultural sites. Combining modernity and culture, since its inauguration in 2007 the Reggia di Venaria Reale has regularly presented particularly interesting exhibitions, as well as sound and light shows, concerts and all kinds of cultural activities for all audiences. Conceived as a point of reference in the field of contemporary leisure, the Reggia di Venaria Reale is a center of cultural production open to all visitors interested in art, history and architecture. The gardens are an outward extension of the ensemble's magnificence: the Fountain of Hercules, the Temple of Diana, the Grand Parterre, and the Peschiera Grande, the recovered lake, form a superb natural panorama, a truly successful melodic harmony between ancient and modern. For an additional charge, a small train takes you to the Temple of Diana. Within the complex, you can of course enjoy refreshments and refreshments, including at the Caffè degli Argenti, set in refined surroundings in the heart of the palace's ancient Chinese rooms, which open onto panoramic views of the gardens and the Alps. On weekends and public holidays, between the Potager Royal and the Peschiera, the Patio dei Giardini restaurant also welcomes you. It's an oasis of tranquillity, where you can enjoy fresh, organic produce from the Reggia's kitchen garden and a host of recipes typical of Piedmontese cuisine. The lovely terrace invites you to take a gourmet break, with its beautiful views of the Alps.