If you’ve ever googled museums in Turin, La Venaria Reale has probably come up. You know–the gorgeous estate that seems like it’s straight from a period piece with the amazing walkway and beautiful estate. One of the many Savoy residences (and the biggest I’ve been to so far), it’s certainly worth a visit. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
What is La Venaria Reale?
La Venaria Reale is one of the many estates of the the Savoia family. It’s in the “Crown of Delights,” or the residences constructed by the royal family around the city of Turin. Construction began in 1658, and renowned Baroque artists like Juvarra, who also developed Palazzo Madama, contributed to its impressive architecture. Up until 1798, when Napoleon arrived and it became a military barracks, it was one of the preferred residences of the royal family. If you like Baroque architecture, this is the perfect place for you.
A full visit to the estate includes the following:
- A history of the estate and the people who lived there
- The Reggia (tons and tons of gorgeous rooms, beautiful art, and remnants of royal life)
- A chapel
- The stables
- Entrance to the exhibition rooms (as of Winter 2024-25, they currently are showing two separate exhibits on Tolkien and William Blake and contemporaries)
- The gardens
Some of the most notable spots include the Great Gallery (the beautiful gallery with the checkered floor pictured above), the Hall of Diana (a gorgeous room with several works of art related to the mythology of Diana), and the extensive gardens.
Here is the estate’s Google Arts and Culture page if you would like to read more.
Where is it?
La Venaria Reale is in the comune, or town, of Venaria Reale, which is slightly outside of Turin. There is a train from Porta Susa that leaves every half-hour and costs 3.30 Euros. This is the same train that you can take to the airport. To get to Venaria Reale, it takes about 15 minutes by train and then about 10-15 minutes by foot from the station (Venaria Reale Reggia). It is easy to find La Venaria Reale, as you essentially exit the station, turn left, and walk in a straight line until you see it. It is located in Piazza della Repubblica.
The biglietteria is located before the estate itself, on the right side of the main street (right before the big plaza).
Inside the Reggia, there were several bathrooms, a cafe, and a bookstore.
How much does it cost?
Well, it depends. La Venaria Reale is HUGE, and it is composed of several different parts. If you want to see everything (gardens, the Reggia, the chapel, the stables, the art exhibits, etc.), it’s 20 Euros for a full ticket, 16 for a reduced (i.e., group) ticket, 10 for students, and free for holders of the Abbonamento Musei card. I would recommend buying this ticket if you have never visited.
For reference, it lists one current exhibit’s regular price as 12 Euros and the other as 10. The regular price of entry into the Reggia (the main part), gardens, and stables is 16 Euros. With that being said, it makes more sense in my opinion to just get the full ticket, unless the current exhibits aren’t your style.
When is it open/when should I go?
La Venaria Reale is open from Tuesday through Friday from 9:30-5 and Saturday/Sunday from 9:30-6:30. It is closed on Monday.
I highly recommend going earlier in the day. As I mentioned, the estate is huge, and there is a ton to see. I stayed for about two hours and wasn’t able to see all of it. Around 3-4 hours seems like it would be the perfect amount of time to have a leisurely visit.
All entrances close an hour before closing time (i.e., last entrance into each part is at 4:00 Tuesday through Friday and 5:30 on the other days. Please be aware that each entry is different, so entry to the Reggia does not guarantee you access to the gardens and exhibitions as well.
The gardens are famous for their blooms in spring, and the weather is relatively mild then. For this reason, it’s often said that the spring season is best for visiting. However, each season has its own charm, whether that’s changing leaves or light shows. I went in winter, when there were less crowds.
My visit to La Venaria Reale + Reflections
My visit to La Venaria Reale, while shorter than I would have liked due to time constraints, was excellent. The museum staff was friendly, and it was clear that the estate was well taken care of.
The impressive nature of the estate
Everything about the estate was grand, gorgeous, and dramatic–the perfect example of what Baroque art is. I have been to several of the Savoia family residences by this point, but this has been one of the most impressive ones. The vibrant colors, intricate artwork, and history of the people who lived there really brought to life a different world that we only see on TV now. For anyone who loves reading fantasy or historical fiction, this is incredible to visit, as it’s almost hard to believe something so grand exists in real life.
Through the use of holograms/projectors, detailed descriptions, and meticulous restoration, you truly feel like you’ve gone back through time. Beyond simply allowing us to escape into what is now a fantasy, this is the best way to get people to appreciate history and culture. When it’s facts on a paper or words on a plaque, it doesn’t land the same way that it does when you feel that you are immersed in the setting. La Venaria Reale truly made an effort to do that.
The current exhibits
The two exhibits (Tolkien and William Blake) were also done very well. I especially enjoyed the William Blake exhibit, as Romanticism is one of my favorite art movements and the curators did a fantastic job. The journey from beginning to end really told the story of Romanticism and its many tenets, and they had some great pieces. I spent nearly an hour just in this part of the museum.
The restoration + cultural value
Finally, I can’t help but appreciate the people who worked so hard to ensure this estate is in the condition it is today. For nearly 200 years, the estate was neglected, and the team worked for almost 10 years to restore it to the condition it’s in today. That could not have been easy, but their contributions to preserving the culture of Piemonte are definitely appreciated!
