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Castle of Racconigi today

Italy · Restored

Castle of Racconigi

Castello Reale di Racconigi

Racconigi Castle is a palace and landscaped park in Racconigi, Piedmont, Italy, formerly a residence of the Carignano line of the House of Savoy and part of the UNESCO Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. The present building combines a central Baroque/late‑17th-century block with later neoclassical façades and 19th‑century expansions, set before extensive formal and later romantic parkland.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1840

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1840

What Castle of Racconigi looked like in its prime.

A broad, symmetrical palace of stuccoed brick and pale stone with white marble accents, extended laterally by two side wings connected to the façade pavilions. The central block is surmounted by a pagoda‑like roof; two northern pavilions have low domes topped by white marble lanterns. The principal façade features a classical entrance with four Corinthian columns and a triangular pediment. The palace fronts a wide jardin à la française that opens northwards, with lakes and scattered park structures beyond.

Its story

The story of Castle of Racconigi.

Racconigi was a possession of the margraves of Saluzzo and others from the 13th century, and was acquired in the 16th century by the House of Savoy. In 1630 Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy granted it to his nephew Thomas Francis, Prince of Carignano, founder of the Savoy-Carignano line, whose official residence it became.

In the late 17th century Emmanuel Philibert, Prince of Carignano commissioned Guarino Guarini to transform the fortress into a pleasure residence, the current central section with its pagoda-like roof, dome-topped pavilions and gardens. Louis Victor added neoclassical interiors, a columned entrance and the great staircase in the late 18th century, and Charles Albert, the Carignano who became King of Sardinia, enlarged it further through his court architect Ernesto Melano.

The last King of Italy, Umberto II, was born here in 1904 and received the castle as a wedding present in 1930, installing the family gallery of some 3,000 paintings and historical documents concerning the Shroud of Turin. Racconigi is now one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Step inside

12 places to explore in 1840.

The record describes 12 distinct spots at Castle of Racconigi, including 3 interiors: great staircase, principal state salon (interior photographed), family gallery and collection rooms. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

North approach and main entranceCentral block with pagoda roofNorthern domed pavilions with marble lanternsSouthern side wings and expanded façadesGreat staircasePrincipal state salon (interior photographed)Family gallery and collection roomsDoric Tempietto in the parkGothic-style chapel in the landscape parkRussian dacha in the landscape gardenMargherie farm buildings at the far park endPark lakes, canals and bridges

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Whose castle

Clans who held Castle of Racconigi.

The families that held Castle of Racconigi for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Saluzzo

    A possession of the margraves of Saluzzo from the 13th century until the House of Savoy acquired it in the 16th.

  • Savoy

    Acquired by the House of Savoy in the 16th century; official residence of the Savoy-Carignano line from 1630, and a wedding present to the future King Umberto II in 1930.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Castle of Racconigi.

Mole Antonelliana, ItalyTowerMole Antonelliana33 km awaySindone Chapel, ItalyChurchSindone Chapel34 km awayBasilica of Superga, ItalyMuseumBasilica of Superga35 km away

Questions about Castle of Racconigi

What is the history of Castle of Racconigi?

Castle of Racconigi began as a fortified site in the 11th century and was transformed into a pleasure residence in the late 17th century. The House of Savoy acquired it in the 16th century, and in 1630 it became the official residence of the Savoy-Carignano line. In the 19th century, Charles Albert enlarged it into a royal residence.

What is inside Castle of Racconigi?

Inside Castle of Racconigi are restored rooms from the 18th century, neoclassical interiors and early 20th-century art deco spaces. Notable rooms include the Salone d'Ercole, Sala di Diana, Chinese Apartment, Etruscan Cabinet, Carlo Alberto's library, the reception room and the royal chapel. The documented interiors also include the great staircase, principal state salon, family gallery and collection rooms.

Where is Castle of Racconigi?

Castle of Racconigi is in Racconigi, Piedmont. It stands in the province of Cuneo and forms part of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. The castle is set within a landscaped park with formal gardens, lakes, canals and bridges.

When was Castle of Racconigi built?

Castle of Racconigi was built in stages, with its earliest recorded origins around the year 1000. The medieval fortress was transformed in the late 17th century into a pleasure residence, then enlarged in the late 18th century and again in the 19th century. Its first raised year is not recorded.

Which family or clan held Castle of Racconigi?

The Saluzzo family held Castle of Racconigi from the 13th century until the House of Savoy acquired it in the 16th century. From 1630 it was the official residence of the Savoy-Carignano line. In 1930 it was given as a wedding present to the future King Umberto II.

What did Castle of Racconigi look like in its prime?

Castle of Racconigi is a broad, symmetrical palace of stuccoed brick and pale stone with white marble accents. Its central block has a pagoda-like roof, while the northern pavilions have low domes topped by white marble lanterns. A classical entrance with four Corinthian columns and a triangular pediment faces the formal French-style garden.

Is Castle of Racconigi still standing or is it a ruin?

Castle of Racconigi is still standing and has been restored. The present building retains a late-17th-century central block, while later neoclassical façades and 19th-century expansions surround it. It is described as one of the best-preserved Savoy residences and remains subject to conservation restoration.

Who built Castle of Racconigi?

Guarino Guarini designed the late-17th-century transformation of Castle of Racconigi. Emmanuel Philibert, Prince of Carignano, commissioned the work, which replaced the fortress arrangement with a central pleasure-residence block and redesigned gardens. Later enlargements were carried out under Charles Albert by court architect Ernesto Melano.

Can you visit Castle of Racconigi?

Castle of Racconigi can be visited as a museum and cultural site. It was reopened in 1993, is largely visitable, and houses restored rooms, furnishings, paintings and objects. It is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy.

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