Highlights
Did you know?
The Parco del Valentino was opened to the public in 1856 at the will of King Vittorio Emanuele II, making it one of the first urban public parks in Italy.
Its romantic landscape design, with winding avenues, groves and views of the Po, was created by the landscape architect Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps, the same who designed the Bois de Boulogne in Paris.
The Castello del Valentino and the formal gardens
The Castello del Valentino is undoubtedly the monumental focal point of the park.
Built in the first half of the seventeenth century at the will of Christine of France, wife of Vittorio Amedeo I of Savoy, the building stands out for its horseshoe-shaped architecture with characteristic mansard roofs of clear French inspiration.
Included in 1997 in the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the serial site of the Savoyard Residences, the castle today houses the Faculty of Architecture of the Politecnico di Torino.
The Borgo Medievale: a journey into Piedmontese Middle Ages
The Borgo Medievale is one of the most original and fascinating attractions of Turin.
Built between 1882 and 1884 to a design by the architects Alfredo d'Andrade and Camillo Boito for the General Italian Exhibition of 1884, the village is a faithful reconstruction of a fifteenth-century Piedmontese and Aosta Valley village.
Towers, stone and wood houses, a church, artisan workshops and shops face onto cobbled lanes in an atmosphere from times past that wins over both adults and children.
Sport, nature and outdoor life along the Po
The Parco del Valentino is the paradise of Turin residents who love sport and outdoor life.
The long tree-lined avenues that run along the Po are frequented every day by runners, cyclists and skaters, while the wide green areas welcome families with children, students and anyone who wishes to take a relaxing break far from the city traffic.
Renting rowing boats and pedal boats on the Po is one of the most beloved activities on sunny days.
Born as the garden of the Royal Villa of Valentino in the 17th century, the park was progressively opened to the public until it became the green heart of the city. Today it houses two unmissable architectural jewels: the Castello del Valentino, a Savoy residence on the UNESCO heritage list, and the Borgo Medievale, a fascinating reconstruction of a medieval Piedmontese village built for the Esposizione Generale Italiana of 1884.
Related experiences
The Castello del Valentino and the formal gardens
The Castello del Valentino is undoubtedly the monumental centrepiece of the park. Built in the first half of the 17th century at the behest of Cristina di Francia, wife of Vittorio Amedeo I of Savoy, the building stands out for its horseshoe-plan architecture with the characteristic French-style mansard roofs. Listed in 1997 as part of the UNESCO Savoy Residences site, the castle today hosts the Faculty of Architecture of the Politecnico di Torino.
To the sides of the castle open the famous Italian-style formal gardens, with geometric flower beds adorned with carefully arranged flowers and plants. The Fountain of the Twelve Months, with its allegorical sculptures, is one of the most photographed symbols of the entire park. In spring, when the rose gardens explode with colour and scent, this corner of the Valentino becomes a spectacle of rare beauty.
The Borgo Medievale: a journey into medieval Piedmont
The Borgo Medievale is one of Turin's most original and fascinating attractions. Built between 1882 and 1884 to designs by architects Alfredo d'Andrade and Camillo Boito for the 1884 Esposizione Generale Italiana, the village is a faithful reconstruction of a 15th-century Piedmontese and Valdostan settlement. Towers, stone and timber houses, a church, artisan workshops and shops face onto cobbled alleys in an old-world atmosphere that wins over young and old.
At the centre of the village lies the medieval Rocca, a castle complete with moat and drawbridge that holds inside a rich collection of original or faithfully reproduced medieval furnishings, weapons, frescoes and artworks. The Rocca visit requires a paid ticket and lets you delve into daily life and culture in late-medieval Piedmont. The Borgo Medievale also hosts events, artisan markets and historical re-enactments throughout the year.
Sport, nature and outdoor life along the Po
The Parco del Valentino is a paradise for Torinesi who love sport and outdoor life. The long tree-lined avenues running along the Po are frequented every day by runners, cyclists and skaters, while the broad green areas welcome families with children, students and anyone wanting to take a break from city traffic. Renting rowing boats and pedalos on the Po is one of the most beloved activities on sunny days.
The park also features an artificial pond with ducks and swans, sports pitches, equipped picnic areas and numerous kiosks and bars. In summer it becomes the beating heart of Turin's summer events, with concerts, open-air film screenings and cultural events that animate evenings into the small hours. In autumn, when leaf colours turn the avenues red and gold, the Valentino offers perhaps its most romantic and melancholy views.
Also worth mentioning are the historic 19th-century greenhouses, restored and now home to temporary exhibitions, and the monumental fountain on the Po, a meeting point for generations of Torinesi.
Did you know? Italy's oldest urban park
The Parco del Valentino was opened to the public in 1856 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, making it one of Italy's first urban public parks. Its romantic landscape design, with winding avenues, copses and views over the Po, was created by landscape architect Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps, who also designed the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. Walking the Valentino therefore means following the same paths once trodden by Savoy nobles and late-19th-century Torinesi bourgeoisie, in a park that in over 150 years has lost none of its original charm.