Royal Gardens

The Royal Gardens of Turin represent one of the city’s most precious gems, a place where history, art, and nature blend into a single, fascinating reality. These gardens, located behind the Royal Palace, cover an area of about seven hectares and are bordered to the north and east by the bastions of the ancient city walls, while to the south and west they adjoin the Royal Palace and its annexed buildings. The creation of the Royal Gardens dates back to the time of Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, in 1563, when he decided to transfer the capital of the Duchy of Savoy from Chambéry to Turin. The original project was inspired by the gardens of the great European royal residences of the time, particularly the splendid Medici villas in Tuscany. The Frenchman Dupacs, also known as Duparc, was commissioned to design the garden in the formal style introduced by André Le Nôtre, the famous garden architect at the court of Louis XIV. This style, known as “jardin à la française,” is characterized by geometric floral perspectives, water features, and decorative sculptures.The Royal Gardens are divided into several sections, each with unique characteristics. The Ducal Garden, located north of the Royal Palace, is a regular space adorned with a modern fountain. The Green Bastion, a small pavilion with a sloping roof, overlooks the Boschetto, a nineteenth-century planting area where the artistic installation “Pietre Preziose” by Giulio Paolini is located. The largest section, the Gardens of Levante, features a system of avenues that create scenic perspectives culminating in the Fountain of the Tritons and Nereids, a work by Simone Martinez from 1757. This area is dominated by plane trees, lindens, and horse chestnuts, with a rare specimen of weeping beech, among the oldest in Piedmont.Over the centuries, the Royal Gardens have undergone numerous changes and periods of neglect, especially during the Napoleonic occupation, when they were looted and despoiled. A first phase of recovery took place in 1805, when the gardens were designated as an Imperial Park. With the return of the Savoys after the Restoration, architect Giuseppe Battista Piacenza took care of important restorations, but the attention of the royal family shifted elsewhere, especially after Florence became the capital of Italy in 1865.After decades of abandonment, the Royal Gardens have experienced a new life thanks to a complex restoration project lasting five years, completed in 2021. This intervention has restored not only the original avenues and perspectives to their ancient splendor, but also important architectural and artistic elements, such as the Fountain of the Nereids and Tritons. Today, the gardens are an integral part of the Royal Museums of Turin and offer visitors an immersive experience between nature and art, with paths connecting the rooms of the Royal Palace and the Sabauda Gallery to the outdoor green spaces.The historical and cultural importance of the Royal Gardens is also evidenced by the numerous events and activities that take place there, making them a lively and dynamic place. Among the many tree species present, visitors can admire centuries-old trees and exotic plants, the result of botanical and artistic influences from different historical periods. Modern sculptures and installations, such as that of Giulio Paolini, add a contemporary touch to this fascinating space, which continues to be a reference point for the city of Turin and its inhabitants.