Castello del Valentino

The Castello del Valentino is a historic building in Turin and in the same name on the Po nearby Parco del Valentino. Today it is the seat of the Faculty of Architecture of the Politecnico di Torino.

History

The origin of the name is not clear. He was first mentioned in documents from the year 1275. He probably refers to the once standing near the park St. Vitus Church, which housed the relics of Saint Valentine of Terni.

The original building was purchased by Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, on the advice of Andrea Palladio. Previously, it served as the residence of various noble families.

Its present form owes the Castle Princess Christina of France, wife of the later Duke of Savoy, Victor Amadeus I.. , The works continued nearly 30 years ( 1633-1660 ) according to plans e Carlo Amedeo di Castellamonte. The horseshoe-shaped floor plan includes a marble-paved courtyard. The corners are highlighted, each with a tower structure. The façade features, the taste and the origin of the princess accordingly, style elements and a breakdown on how it was modern in France at the time, such as the mansard roofs. Above the central entrance emblazoned on a gable a large coat of arms of Savoy.

In addition to the Palazzo Madama in central Turin, which served as the official residence time before the walls of the city lies the castle as a private residence. The beautiful, young widowed Duchess Christina led there an unrestrained life. There is even an underground tunnel have been created to enable their numerous lovers a coming and going from.

In the 19th century, some changes were made in its architectural design and its connection to the city, but mostly looted the precious Baroque interior of Napoleonic soldiers and taken to France.

In the following years the castle, but what it turned out in retrospect to be a stroke of luck for the castle fell into disrepair. Although time has taken its toll, for example, by water damage. The neglect but it is also due to that all Fresksen and friezes have been preserved in its interior in its historical state in the 17th century. 1860, the Technical University of the Castello del Valentino decided as a new location, so the castle was renovated and restored to its former glory. On 12 May 2007, the central Sala dello Zodiaco ( Zodiac Hall) was re-opened, the ceiling fresco, a personification of the Po, equipped with attributes of the sea god Poseidon shows. The Parco del Valentino is also the Orto Botanico dell'Università di Torino, the Botanical Garden of the University.