In the 1500s it was a riverside residence located out of town, and its period of maximum splendour was under Christine of France, the first regent in the Savoy State, who chose it to be the palace of entertainment, extending it according to French tastes and promoting the rich decoration of the rooms on the piano nobile.
After her death, the parties that the Madame Royale enjoyed organising were no more, and just a few decades later one of the side gardens was turned into the Botanical Gardens for the University, which can still be visited. During the 19th century, the castle was radically altered due to the Exposition of 1858 initiated by Cavour.
Reservation mandatory
Design
The contemporary design collection at the Castello del Valentino is a landmark for design enthusiasts and scholars. The collection showcases icons of Italian and international design, celebrating the great historical names in design who had connections to the city or the Politecnico, such as Mollino, Sottsass, Achille Castiglioni, Gabetti, Isola, De Ferrari, and Enzo Mari, as well as Le Corbusier, Perriand, and Alvar Aalto. The collection includes a variety of design objects, furniture, iconic furnishings, lighting, and drawings, originating from donations or from spaces such as the headquarters of Reale Mutua or the RAI Auditorium, which are no longer available for public use. The historical setting of the castle also creates a fascinating contrast between past and present, offering a unique space to reflect on the transformations in the world of design