Royal Library

The Royal Library of Turin is one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the city, founded in 1839 by Carlo Alberto di Savoia. Located within the complex of the Royal Palace, the library represents a true treasure trove of historical and artistic treasures, safeguarding an invaluable heritage ranging from ancient manuscripts to drawings by great masters such as Leonardo da Vinci. Carlo Alberto, a promoter of culture and the arts, commissioned Count Michele Saverio Provana del Sabbione to gather the volumes and manuscripts that remained in the Royal Palace after the donation made by Vittorio Amedeo II to the University of Turin. To these initial collections, Carlo Alberto added his own personal collection and numerous volumes received as gifts. The first librarian, Domenico Promis, played a fundamental role in the development of the library, specializing it in the history of the ancient Sardinian States, military subjects, heraldry, and numismatics.By 1840, the library already possessed around 30,000 valuable volumes. To accommodate this growing collection, Carlo Alberto entrusted the architect Pelagio Palagi with the task of setting up the spaces beneath the Beaumont Gallery. Palagi designed an elegant and functional space, decorated by painters Marco Antonio Trefogli and Angelo Moja, who painted the barrel vault of the central hall in monochrome.The Royal Library thus became a place of study and preservation, but also a symbol of the cultural patronage of the Savoy family. Unfortunately, with the accession to the throne of Vittorio Emanuele II and the subsequent transfer of the capital first to Florence and then to Rome, attention towards the library decreased, slowing its development. Nevertheless, the sovereigns continued to send volumes to Turin, contributing to the growth of the library’s heritage.Among the most precious treasures of the Royal Library stands out Leonardo da Vinci’s Self-Portrait, purchased in 1839 by collector Giovanni Volpato. This drawing, kept in an underground section for preservation, is one of the most important relics of the collection and represents an icon of Renaissance art. The library also houses Leonardo’s Codex on the Flight of Birds, donated by Count Teodoro Sabachnikoff, a manuscript that has significantly contributed to studies on the genius of da Vinci.The library’s heritage includes around 200,000 printed volumes, 4,500 manuscripts, 3,055 drawings, 187 incunabula, 5,019 sixteenth-century books, 20,987 pamphlets, 1,500 parchments, 1,112 periodicals, and 400 photographic albums. This extensive collection offers a comprehensive overview of European culture and history, with a particular focus on Italian and Savoyard history.An interesting anecdote concerns the acquisition of Swiss school drawings, including two drawings by the sixteenth-century artist Urs Graf, depicting dancing peasant couples. These drawings, purchased by Carlo Alberto along with Giovanni Volpato’s collection, are an example of the richness and variety of the library’s collection. Over time, the library has undergone several restoration interventions to preserve and enhance its heritage. These works have allowed the beauty of the spaces to remain intact and ensured the conservation of the most delicate materials. The library has been equipped with modern technologies for climate and humidity control, essential for the protection of books and manuscripts.Today, the Royal Library is an integral part of the Royal Museums of Turin, a museum complex that also includes the Royal Palace, the Sabauda Gallery, the Royal Armory, and the Museum of Antiquities. This group of institutions represents one of the most important cultural hubs in Italy, offering visitors a rich and varied experience.