The 17th century Venaria Royal Palace, designed in 1658 by Amedeo di Castellamonte for the Duke Carlo Emanuele II, is dedi-cated to Diana, the goddess of the hunt, and the Gallery of Diana, the Citronnerie, the Stables and the Chapel of St. Umberto, all famous works by Juvarra (1716-28), make up the so-called Turinese "Versailles". It is a complex of extraordinary size (480,000 sqm) which exists in symbiosis with the village and the surrounding park. The Residence is currently being turned into a large workyard for the restoration wanted by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Resources and Affaires, and by the Region of Piedmont, with funding from the European Union. After restoration the complex will house a Museum on Court Life and Civilization; it will also house a national center for restoration and an exhibition area on the history and culture of Europe and the Mediterranean.

The tour continues with the visit to the Racconigi Castle. The last palace of delights to be inhabited by the House of Savoy, who entrusted its restoration to Guarini in 1676, the Racconigi Castle was the favorite residence of King Carlo Alberto. The King himself entrusted the renovation of its luxurious apartments to the architect and interior designer Pelagio Pelagi, who added the prestigious picture gallery and built the Neo-Gothic complex of model farms, the Margherie with chapel and attached green-houses. Strolling along the paths of its magnificent park, the visitor will be impressed by picturesque buildings, grottoes, ponds, waterfalls and other romantic sights.