Castle of Racconigi

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Royal Castle of Racconigi
Castello Reale di Racconigi
Southern façade of the castle
Castle of Racconigi Location within Piedmont Show map of Piedmont Castle of Racconigi Castle of Racconigi (Italy) Show map of Italy
General information
Coordinates	44°46′09.8″N 7°40′33.5″E / 44.769389°N 7.675972°E / 44.769389; 7.675972
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	(i)(ii)(iv)(v)
Reference	823bis
Inscription	1997 (21st Session)

The Royal Castle of Racconigi is a palace and landscape park in

History

The first records of the castle are from around the year 1000, when Bernardino of

Cistercian

monks.

The castle was a possession of the

donjon

(mastio) on one side.

Architecture

Emmanuel Philibert, Prince of Carignano, Tommaso's son, in the late 17th century, commissioned Guarino Guarini to transform the fortress into a pleasure residence. The architect erected the current central section where the court was, adding a pagoda-like roof. The two northern towers were replaced by pavilions with dome roofs and square plans, provided with white marble lanterns. The gardens were also created.

In the late 18th century, Louis Victor, Prince of Carignano ordered a renovation of the interiors, enlarging the two southern towers, adding stucco and other neoclassical decoration; he also commissioned a new entrance, with 4 Corinthian columns and a triangular fronton, and the great staircase.

, further enlarged and embellished the castle to represent the splendour of the newly acquired reign. His court architect Ernesto Melano expanded the ancient square structure around the central section and added two side buildings connected to the façade pavilions, as well as another staircase on the southern side.

Here the last

.

Landscape park

.

In the late 18th century the English

, was also created in the landscape park.

The one hundred and seventy hectares of parkland were given its current design by the German Xavier Kurten, who gave the setting a romantic touch: lakes, canals, bridges, caves, picturesque buildings and old trees populated by several species of birds, including a large colony of storks.[2]

At the far end of the park are the "Margherie" buildings, so called because they were originally used for the production of milk and cheese and as a dwelling for the shepherds. In the nineteenth century, in fact, as the new concept of country residence required, Racconigi intended to be a model farm and not just a royal castle and park. Therefore, a compromise was reached to create a functional and aesthetically appealing building.^[3]

• Italian Renaissance garden
• Giardino all'italiana
• List of gardens in Italy
• Grandi Giardini Italiani

• Official Castle of Racconigi website—(in Italian)—(in English)