Royal Palace of Turin Guide (See the Armory & More)

The Royal Armory in Turin - or, the Ameria Reale -  is considered one of the finest museums dedicated to military weapons in the world
The Royal Armory in Turin – or, the Ameria Reale –  is considered one of the finest museums dedicated to military weapons in the world

The city of Turin is the capital city of the Piedmont region in Northern Italy. It’s considered a cultural hub, most notably because of its historic buildings. Among these are a number of palaces and homes of the storied Savoy dynasty. Of which, the Royal Palace of Turin – or Palazzo Reale di Torino – is arguably the most famous. 

An interesting aside about Italian Royal palaces: In Italy, the names of palaces and the rooms in them often translate into wonderfully colorful and mysterious images. Keep reading to also find out more about places called the Midnight Apartment and Diana.

But first, let’s take a closer look at the Royal Palace of Turin itself, and the world-famous armory housed within the complex.  

History of the Royal Palace of Turin

The Palazzo Reale Torino was built in the 16th Century and underwent further renovation in the mid-1600s. It includes a number of significant sub-sections, including Palazzo Chiablese and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, which houses the Shroud of Turin. 

It served as the center of the Savoy dynasty for over 200 years. After World War II, the palace became the property of the state, and has been used since largely as a museum. Today it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Visiting the Royal Palace in Turin

The Royal Palace, not surprisingly, is one of the unmissable places to visit in Turin. The complex operates as a series of museums. There are two entrances to the complex that you can reach the ticket office via – either the Piazzetta Reale or the Piazza San Giovanni. 

Much of the palace, including the throne hall, gallery, ballroom and some royal apartments can be toured. The Royal Library is also popular, as is the Royal Armory – more on that below. 

Among the fascinating items on show are rich tapestries, invaluable vases from the far east, and of course the decor and furnishings of bygone eras. 

It’s best to take your time when looking around the palace, in order to fully appreciate the history of the Savoy dynasty. A decent tour of the palace should take around two hours, but you may want to spend even more time looking around the library and armory, with its thousands of historical objects and displays. 

The library contains a valuable self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci, while the armory has one of the biggest collections of weapons of war in the world. If you’re a military history enthusiast, this will be a special treat for you. 

Something to be aware of: Because so many of the objects contained within the palace and museum are valuable and delicate, no flash photography or tripods are allowed. 

Private guided tours of the palace are available. It’s a great way to learn an even more in-depth history of the building and its history.

The Royal Armory of Turin

As mentioned, The Royal Armory in Turin – or, the Ameria Reale –  is considered one of the finest museums dedicated to military weapons in the world. It was founded by King Carlos Alberto in 1832, and has since grown to house more than 5000 items. 

Originally, the intention was to collect the weapons owned by the Savoys and store them here in a royal museum. The collection expanded significantly, though, and objects found here today date from prehistory to the 1900s. 

There are a few notable weapons here with their own stories. A sword carried by Napoleon Bonaparte in battle, for example, is one of the most famous attractions. You’ll also find several mannequins dressed in armor, and display cases of beautiful yet terrifying weapons.

The Royal Palace Hours and Admission Costs

The palace is open to visitors from 8:30 to 19:00 every day except Mondays. Though it closes quite late, it’s a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the palace. 

A ticket to visit the Palace costs around €15. You can also access the museum with a valid Torino+Piedmonte Card or Piedmont: Royal Card. 

Other Turin Palaces of Interest 

The Savoys didn’t do things by half-measures. Besides the Royal Palace, they had several other residences at their disposal. 

There are numerous Baroque-era palaces in Turin alone. While you’re visiting the Royal Palace, you may want to take time out to see some of the other palaces in the city. 

1- Palazzo Carignano

Like many of Italy’s attractions, the names given to the spaces in the Palaces are sometimes quite intriguing. Here, the names Appartamento dei Principi (Apartment of the princes), and the Appartamento di Mezzanotte (Midnight Apartment) can spark the imagination no end. But you’ll also be fascinated by the intricate decor, woodwork and beauty of the palace itself.

The Palazzo Carignano opening hours are 10.00 – 18.00, every day except Monday.

2 – Venaria Reale

Like the Royal palace, The Venaria is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Its main draws are the chapel for Saint Hubert, the Scuderia grande, and Diana. Yes, Diana is another one of those odd names given to rooms – in this case, the grand gallery.

The Venaria Reale is open from 10:00 – 16:00 (Tuesday to Thursday) and 10:00 – 19:00 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). It is closed on Mondays. 

3 – Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi

This palace is probably most famous for briefly being the home of Napoleon. It’s quite a renowned architectural achievement, though, and was mostly used as a hunters’ rest when it was first built.

The Palazzina di Stupinigi opening hours are 10:00 – 17:30 (Tuesday to Friday); 10:00 – 18:30 (Saturday and Sunday). It’s closed on Mondays. 

4 – Basilica of Superga

This lovely hilltop palace was built by King Vittorio Amedeo II to commemorate the defeat of the French Army. Aside from the beauty of the palace itself, the view from the basilica is breathtaking and worth an excursion.

Due to services and different schedules during winter and summer months, the best advice is to consult the Basilica official site for opening times.

See Turin’s Royal History for Yourself

The Palazzo Reale Turin is a must-see when visiting the city. It offers a detailed and enlightening picture of the influence and power of the Savoys, and the legacy it left behind. 

Then there’s the armory, which is one of the world’s most revered museums. Thousands of items can be seen here – it’s a real journey through a history of war. 

If you’re keen to really get into the stories, why not look into a private tour of Turin? Or rent a car in Turin and take a self-guided trip through the city’s royal residences. While the Royal Palace is indeed the jewel of  Turin, it is not the only palace worthy of a visit in the city. 

Should you need additional convincing to visit Turin, read our guide to things to do in Turin and you will be sure you must visit this stunning city.