CASTELLO DEL VALENTINO

The Valentino Castle, also known as Castello del Valentino, is one of the historical Turin attractions. The Politecnico di Torino's Department of Architecture calls Parcodel Valentino home. In 1997, it was included in the Royal Palace of Savoy's inscription to the World Heritage List. The origins of the name Valentino can be traced back to 1275, when a relic of St. Valentine was kept in a local church.

Located in the city of Turin in northwest Italy is the medieval Castello del Valentino (Castle of Valentino). Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, this residence of the Royal House of Savoy may be seen in Valentino Park. In 1275, the name Valentino was first recorded; it is likely that it was given in honor of a saint named Valentine whose remains were worshiped at a neighboring church. On Andrea Palladio's recommendation, Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy purchased the ancient castle here. Additionally, for travelers seeking to delve into similar historical sites and cultural treasures, Europe packages offer a multitude of opportunities to explore.

Christine Marie, Princess of France (1606-1663), wife of Victor Amadeus I, commissioned the current building in 1630. It's in the form of a horseshoe, with four octagonal towers and a spacious, marble-paved interior court. The construction process continued until the year 1660. There were initial renovations done in 1860 when it was chosen as the home of Turin's engineering faculty, and more recent restorations. The Polytechnic University of Turin now uses it as its primary Architecture faculty building.

Highlights

• Visit the Castle of Valentino, an ancient structure in the center of Turin's second-largest park on the west side of the River Po.
• Admire the well-preserved frescoes from the seventeenth century as well as the first-floor apartments and the stunning Zodiac room, which features a center fresco that shows the River Po and the god Poseidon.
• Admire the French castle-inspired architecture, including the four square towers with pointed roofs, as well as the porticoes and galleries.
• Enjoy the sight of the stunning hillside-facing front and the spacious courtyard put out between the two rear wings and embellished with a loggia and encircled by fences.