Madame Palace and Civic Museum of Ancient Art, Turin
At the beginning of the first century BC, the site of the present-day Madama Palace was occupied by two towers flanking a gate in the Roman walls of Taurinorum. The gate straddled the Decumanus Maximus, the traditional cross-town street of a Roman castrum. After the fall of the Empire, the gate was a stronghold in the city's defenses.
In the early 14th century, the building became a possession of the Savoia-Acaja, a junior branch of the House of Savoy. A hundred years later, Ludovico of Acaja, Prince of Acaia, rebuilt the structure in a square shape with an inner court and portico. Four round towers were set at each corner. These changes are still visible at the rear end of the palace.
In 1637, Christine Marie of France made the palace her residence. She covered the courtyard and redid the apartments. Sixty years later, Marie Jeanne Baptiste de Savoie-Nemours lived there, giving the palace nickname "Madama." Architect Filippo Juvarra created one Baroque white stone facade. Work was stopped in 1721.
Formerly the home of the Subalpine Senate since 1934, the Madama Palace has housed the Civic Museum of Ancient Art. The museum is known for its collection of paintings from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. The museum has 35 rooms on four floors. The underground floor holds medieval works. The first floor is given to Gothic and Renaissance paintings. The second and uppermost floors hold Baroque and decorative art.
The museum's collection also includes a variety of artworks, such as sculptures, ceramics, porcelains, majolica, and ivories, as well as gold and silver works, furniture, and textiles.
In the early 14th century, the building became a possession of the Savoia-Acaja, a junior branch of the House of Savoy. A hundred years later, Ludovico of Acaja, Prince of Acaia, rebuilt the structure in a square shape with an inner court and portico. Four round towers were set at each corner. These changes are still visible at the rear end of the palace.
In 1637, Christine Marie of France made the palace her residence. She covered the courtyard and redid the apartments. Sixty years later, Marie Jeanne Baptiste de Savoie-Nemours lived there, giving the palace nickname "Madama." Architect Filippo Juvarra created one Baroque white stone facade. Work was stopped in 1721.
Formerly the home of the Subalpine Senate since 1934, the Madama Palace has housed the Civic Museum of Ancient Art. The museum is known for its collection of paintings from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. The museum has 35 rooms on four floors. The underground floor holds medieval works. The first floor is given to Gothic and Renaissance paintings. The second and uppermost floors hold Baroque and decorative art.
The museum's collection also includes a variety of artworks, such as sculptures, ceramics, porcelains, majolica, and ivories, as well as gold and silver works, furniture, and textiles.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Turin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Madame Palace and Civic Museum of Ancient Art on Map
Sight Name: Madame Palace and Civic Museum of Ancient Art
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Turin, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Turin
Creating your own self-guided walk in Turin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Turin Introduction Walking Tour
A Roman colony called Julia Augusta Taurinorum was established in 28 BC. Today the city known as Turin is the capital city of the Piedmont region of Italy. The Romans planned the town as a grid. Garibaldi Street (via Garibaldi) today follows the pattern of the Roman north-south street.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Turin was occupied in turn by Ostrogoths, Lombards, and the Franks of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Turin was occupied in turn by Ostrogoths, Lombards, and the Franks of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Coffee, Food and Chocolate Tour in Turin
Among other things, the capital of Italy's Piedmont region 鈥� Turin 鈥� is well known for its rich culinary tradition, which includes long-standing coffee and chocolate culture. There are several cafes and coffee houses in the city that have been in business for hundreds of years.
The most notable of them are found in the historic heart of the city, such as the Caff猫 al Bicerin.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
The most notable of them are found in the historic heart of the city, such as the Caff猫 al Bicerin.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles