PALAZZO CARIGNANO

Turin, Italy is home to the former palace known as the Palazzo Carignano. Those of the Princes of Carignano dynasty, who were related to the king and queen, made their home there. The distinctively rounded exterior of this building has earned it widespread renown. Princess Marie-Louise of Savoy had her beginnings there as well. It is one of the places to visit in Turin where Italy's first monarch, Vittorio Emanuele II, was born, and is conveniently located close to Turin's larger Royal Palace.

One of the historic places to visit in Turin is the expansive Palazzo Carignano, which sits between the Piazza Carignano and the Piazza Carlo Alberto. In 1997, UNESCO added Palazzo Carignano to the list of Residences of the Royal House of Savoy alongside Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama. The palace is now home to the regional directorate of Piedmont's museums on the ground floor, and Italy's National Museum of the Risorgimento can be found on the palace's noble floor. The 17th-century part of Palazzo Carignano faces Piazza Carignano, while the 19th-century section faces Piazza Carlo Alberto. Catering to those eager to delve into such historical richness and beyond, Europe travel packages present convenient avenues for exploration.

Designed by Guarino Guarini in the 17th century, the structure's northern wing is known as di Mezzanotte (of Midnight), while the southern wing is referred to by its Italian name, di Mezzogiorno (of Noon). The 17th-century building's facade is almost entirely made of terracotta, and it features a beautiful alternation of convex and concave shapes. The impressive 19th-century structure is styled in a mash-up of Renaissance and other periods.

Highlights

• Stop by the historic Palazzo Carignano, or Palazzo Dei Principi di Carignano which is a prime example of Baroque style architecture from the Piedmont region of Italy. 
• Gaze in awe at the 17th-century wing of Palazzo Carignano that faces Piazza Carignano and the 19th-century wing that faces Piazza Carlo Alberto.
• Behold with wonder the 17th-century building's facade, which is nearly entirely made of terracotta and features alternating exquisite concave and convex designs.
• Come see the oldest and most significant museum about the Italian Risorgimento at the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento (Italian Revival).
• See the many types of weapons, banners, costumes, printed documents and manuscripts, and figurative works on display in the museum.