Piazza Castello, Turin, Guía del visitante y qué hacer cerca

Piazza Castello is the main square of Turin, Italy, and the old centre of power of the House of Savoy. It is framed by Palazzo Madama and Palazzo Reale, and several of the city's major streets lead into it. It is the natural starting point for understanding how Turin grew from a ducal seat into a royal capital.

The story behind it

The square grew up around the seat of the Savoy dynasty, who made Turin their capital in the sixteenth century. Palazzo Madama, a medieval castle given a Baroque façade by Filippo Juvarra, and Palazzo Reale, the royal residence, still define the space. Together they make the square a showcase of centuries of Savoy ambition.

Where there is this much history, legends follow. One of the best known says that three alchemical grottos lie beneath the square, a meeting place for alchemists and magicians over the centuries. Two of them were said to be doors to parallel worlds, while the third, known only to a chosen few, supposedly held the philosopher's stone. Tales of secret passages that nobles and royals could use to escape have fed the rumours, though the grottos themselves belong to folklore rather than the historical record.

What to look for

• Look at the grand Baroque façade of Palazzo Madama, then walk around to see that the building behind it still has the shape of a medieval castle with corner towers.
• Find the gate in front of Palazzo Reale, where statues of horses and their tamers stand guard at the entrance to the royal residence.
• Notice the arcades along the edges of the square, which are typical of Turin and give the city its sheltered, elegant walking streets.
• Look for the Teatro Regio, the city's opera house, on the side of the square, and compare its modern interior and entrance with the older palaces around it.

Tips for your visit

• The square is open and free to walk through at any time. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to look around, or longer if you go inside the palaces.
• Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama can be visited inside. Check current opening hours before you plan your day.
• Late afternoon and early evening are pleasant, when the light warms the façades and the arcades fill with people.
• The Royal Gardens lie behind Palazzo Reale, and Via Po leads from the square towards the river, so it is easy to combine them in one walk.

See it on a quest

Ghosts of Turin: The Hidden Spell brings you to Piazza Castello on foot as one stop on a longer route through the city. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle right in front of you. Its spooky theme suits a square with so many legends. One ticket covers the whole group.

Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Turin is a different way to see the same streets. You walk between the stops yourself, hear about each place as you reach it, and work out a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like.