Manica Nuova di Palazzo Reale

The year is 1899. Imagine the clamor of construction as architects and workers scurry around a grand project in Turin – the Manica Nuova di Palazzo Reale. This new wing, an extension of the already magnificent Palazzo Reale, was no mere afterthought. It rose with purpose, a testament to the ever-evolving story of the House of Savoy. The Manica Nuova di Palazzo Reale, completed in 1903, wasn’t initially designed to house priceless artworks. Architect Emilio Stramucci envisioned it as a place of function and administration. High-ranking officials like the Minister of the Royal House and the Grand Squire had their offices and apartments within these very walls. The grand halls on the first floor served as a prestigious meeting place for the Order of Malta. However, history has a way of reshaping even the grandest plans. In the 1970s, the Manica Nuova di Palazzo Reale took on a new role. The Region of Piedmont transformed it into office spaces, a function it served until the late 1980s. But fate, it seemed, had a more glorious destiny in store. After extensive restoration, the Manica Nuova di Palazzo Reale emerged in its present form in 2014. It became home to the Galleria Sabauda, a treasure trove of over 700 paintings representing various European schools. This stunning collection, once the private domain of the Savoy family, now graces these halls, offering us a glimpse into the artistic tastes and ambitions of one of Italy’s most influential dynasties. As you wander these halls today, let the echoes of architects, the whispers of courtiers, and the strokes of master painters weave a tapestry of time before your very eyes. The Manica Nuova di Palazzo Reale stands as a testament to Turin’s rich history, a place where the echoes of the past resonate beautifully in the present.