Palazzo Madama sits in the middle of Piazza Castello and tells two thousand years of Turin’s history in a single building. At the back you can still see the towers of the Roman east gate of the city, which became a medieval castle, while the front was transformed in the early eighteenth century by Filippo Juvarra into a gleaming white baroque facade with one of the most theatrical staircases in Italy. The palace takes its name from two royal widows, the Madame Reali, who lived here in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and it later housed the first Senate of the Kingdom of Italy. Today it is the Museo Civico d’Arte Antica, the city’s museum of ancient art, with medieval stone carvings, Gothic and Renaissance paintings, gold work, ceramics, glass and furniture laid out across the castle and the baroque apartments. Do not miss the Juvarra staircase itself, or the views from the upper floors over the square.
How it works: Palazzo Madama opens from Wednesday to Monday from morning to early evening and is closed on Tuesdays. The Tiqets product linked here is a simple skip-the-line entry ticket, a useful option when the square is busy at weekends. Temporary exhibitions are sometimes ticketed separately, and the medieval courtyard and the Juvarra atrium can occasionally be closed for events, so check the programme if a particular room matters to you.
What you see: start in the grand atrium with the Juvarra staircase, then descend into the medieval rooms of the castle with their stone sculpture and Gothic art. The upper floors hold the baroque apartments of the Madame Reali, decorated with stucco and frescoes, and the decorative arts collections, from majolica and porcelain to fine glass. The medieval garden in the old moat is a quiet corner on fine days.
Making the most of it: give yourself ninety minutes. Palazzo Madama makes a natural pair with the Royal Palace a few steps away, and with the Egyptian Museum, five minutes on foot. The historic cafés around Piazza Castello are perfect for a break.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit with a skip-the-line ticket through the Juvarra atrium, the medieval castle rooms and the baroque apartments of the city art museum.
Best time
A weekday morning or late afternoon, avoiding Tuesdays when the museum is closed.
How long
About ninety minutes for the permanent collection, longer with a temporary exhibition.
Tips
Look at the back of the building first to see the Roman towers, then come round to the front for the Juvarra facade.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Architecture lovers and history buffs who want to see Roman, medieval and baroque Turin in one place.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the castle rooms and the moat garden, though younger ones may tire of the decorative arts.
- Couples
- The white marble staircase and the frescoed apartments make an elegant, uncrowded visit together.
- Pair with
- The Royal Palace across Piazza Castello and the Egyptian Museum a short walk away.
- Time needed
- About ninety minutes.
Good questions
Is Palazzo Madama open on Tuesdays?+
No, Palazzo Madama is closed on Tuesdays. It opens from Wednesday to Monday during the day.
What is inside Palazzo Madama?+
It houses the Museo Civico d’Arte Antica, the city museum of ancient art. The collections run from medieval sculpture and paintings to ceramics, glass and furniture.
Why is it called Palazzo Madama?+
It is named after two royal widows, the Madame Reali, who lived there in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. One of them commissioned the baroque facade from Filippo Juvarra.
Can you see Roman remains at Palazzo Madama?+
Yes, the back of the building incorporates the towers of the Roman east gate of the city. The medieval castle grew around them.
How long does a visit take?+
Most visitors spend about ninety minutes inside. Add time if there is a temporary exhibition.