Palazzo Madama stands in the middle of Piazza Castello, Turin’s grand central square, and looks like two buildings joined together. One side is a medieval castle with fortified towers; the other is a stately Baroque façade designed by Filippo Juvarra. Together they make the palace a vivid introduction to the city’s layered history.
The site began as a Roman gate before becoming a medieval fortress and a Savoy residence. Its name refers to the two royal widows known as Madama Reale, Christine Marie of France and Maria Giovanna Battista of Savoy-Nemours. The latter commissioned Juvarra’s façade and monumental staircase. In the 19th century, the palace also housed the Senate of the Kingdom of Italy, when Turin was the country’s first capital.
Today Palazzo Madama houses Turin’s Museo Civico d’Arte Antica. Its collection ranges from medieval sculpture and illuminated manuscripts to ceramics and Renaissance paintings, including Antonello da Messina’s Portrait of a Man. Allow time to explore the historic rooms and climb the panoramic tower for views over the city’s rooftops towards the Alps.
Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter look around, and check the museum’s current opening hours before setting out. Comfortable shoes are useful for the stairs and older floors. The palace is easy to reach on foot from central Turin, and pairs naturally with a visit to the nearby Royal Palace.