Valentino Castle stands in Turin’s second largest park,Valentino Park, along the Corso Massimo D’Azeglio. The origins of the horseshoe-shaped castledate back to the 16th century. Originally a riverside residence, itwas named for St. Valentine, the priest of Rome who secretly married coupleswhen banned to do so during Emperor Claudius II’s reign.
As you wander around the castle you’ll notice the distinctFrench style on the castle’s front facade, which can be attributed to PrincessChristine Marie of France, who married the prince Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy. Christine Marie commissioned work to be done to the castle by father and sondesigners, Carlo and Amedeo of Castellamonte. The rear facade, however, whichfaces the River Po, maintained its Italian design, sandwiching the castle’sinterior between two major powers of the 18th century.
The castle has performed various functions since the time ofthe Savoys: a veterinary school, a barracks, the Royal School of Applicationfor Engineers and finally the Architecture Faculty for Polytechnic University,which it remains to this day. Preparation for the 1858 Exposition of Turintriggered removal of much of the castle’s beautiful French interior.
Although the interior of Valentino Castle is closed to thepublic, the castle stands a short, but lovely walk along the River Po. Walkthrough Valentino Park to the Medieval Village (Borgo Medievale), where many 15th-century replicas and café options await.
In the decades following the Savoy’s death, geometricallydesigned Botanical Gardens were added, incorporated into Valentino Castle’soriginal gardens from 1730. Operated by the University of Turin, the gardensstill bloom centuries later and are open on weekends. They are free of chargeto visit. Walk through them to take photos of the side of the castle and admirethe 2,000 species of vegetation that are planted throughout the gardens.
Take public transportation to reach Valentino Castle toavoid difficulties with Turin’s ZTL (Limited Traffic Areas). Enjoy a pleasantwalk through the Valentino Park before or after your castle visit.
