Just 15 km from Cascina 6b there is a little Versailles: the Royal Residence of Venaria, an ancient and glorious Savoy residence located in the heart of Venaria Reale, in the province of Turin. Commissioned in the late 1600s by Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoy, it was designed to serve as a base for hunting in the hilly moorland of Turin.
The site offers various services: a long stroll through the English gardens, characterized by vast green lawns interspersed with pathways, benches and fountains; the visit to the Savoy royal apartments for a dive into the history among utensils, furnishings and rich tapestries; as well as the viewing of both temporary and permanent exhibitions that feature works by contemporary and non contemporary artists.
The Royal Gardens
Needless to say that the exterior is breathtaking; upon arriving at the back of the estate, from the top of the stairs, you’ll immediately find yourself immersed in the gardens, from which derives an incredible sense of serenity and, so, making you want to buy a ticket just to spend time on those white benches, reading a good book under the sun, enjoying the company of the swans in the pond.
You must know that the gardens and their layout extend from “Via Mensa”, the central street that runs through the historic center of Venaria Reale.
The Great Gallery
Inside the Residence, among all the environments, the most evocative one is the Great Gallery, a long and luminous corridor designed and built by the architect Filippo Juvarra, located on the route of the Noble Floor.
The reference to the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles is strong here, here too the light dominates the space. The marble floor, the stuccos and the forty-four windows providing, to the entire eighty-meter length of the corridor (which connected the kingās apartments to those of the heir to the throne) a continuous brilliance throughout the year, even on the darkest and rainiest days
The Nina’s Carousel by Valerio Berruti
Until May 2021, the Great Gallery housed an installation by the artist Valerio Berruti: The Nina’s Carousel which recreated an ancient music box to the compositions of Ludovico Einaudi. Unlike traditional carousels with horses, the figures in this installation were swallows, each representing a different moment of flight. The continuous movement of the mechanism combined with the gentle background music created the impression of a single bird flying gracefully in concentric patterns.
The Church of St. Hubert
In addition to the Great Gallery, another masterpiece by Filippo Juvarra at the Venaria Reale is the Church of St. Hubert, named after the patron saint of hunters, as a reference to the hunting destination of the residence.
The connections between the Chapel and the Residence, left unfinished by Juvarra, were completed under Carlo Emanuele III by Benedetto Alfieri, who is also responsible for the spectacular monumental staircase that rises to the stands of the Chapel.
Upon exiting the Royal Residence of Venaria, I recommend you to take a stroll along the pedestrian area of Via Andrea Mensa, an avenue full of shops, cafes and restaurants, ideal for relaxing, shopping and ending the day in style, maybe sipping an excellent hot chocolate or a good wine.
So, hereās another must-visit place to enrich your heart and lighten your mind, not far from Cascina 6b.
Dunque, ecco un altro luogo da non perdere per arricchire il cuore ed alleggerire la mente, non tanto distante da Cascina 6b.
Points of interest
How to reach the Royal Residence of Venaria from Cascina 6b
By Car: reachable in about 20 minutes. You can park in the Parking “Castellamonteā and walk to the Residence in about 5 minutes.
Public transports: reachable in about 30 minutes. Depart from San Maurizio C.se Station heading towards Venaria Reale Station. From there, itās about a 10-minute walk to the Residence.
Clothing Kit
Casual clothes and comfortable shoes
I wish you a
GOOD VISIT!
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