In the very heart of Aosta Valley lies two hundred years old castle featuring botanical garden and panoramic views of the Alp, a popular tourist destination just several miles from from Gressoney-Saint-Jean.
The castle was built to Qeen Margherita of Savoy, wife of King Umberto I. It is located at the foot of Ranzola hill, in the place called “Belvedere” because it overlooks the entire valley to the glacier Lyskamm. The ceremony of laying of the foundation stone was held in Aug. 24, 1899. Assassinated at Monza a year later, King Umberto I would not have seen the completion of the work, which continued until 1904.
The Real Palace in Gressoney is a work of architect Emilio Stramucci, creator of the Neo-Baroque decorations for the Palazzo Reale in Turin and the Quirinale in Rome.
He designed a castle in medieval style, described by contemporary guides as ” Lombardy style from 15th century, quite frequent in the south of France and especially in Savoy,from where originated the sovereigns. ”
Immersed in the greenery of the surrounding park, the building evokes a turreted castle, softened by presence of many windows and a semi-circular veranda in the view across the valley. It consists of a rectangular body flanked by five pinnacled towers, each of slightly different form. The exterior is covered with gray cut stone from the quarries of Chiappey in Gressoney, Gaby and Vert .
The young painter and restorer Cussetti Charles, who later worked in the new wing of the Palazzo Reale in Turin, created the ornamental paintings and the architectural decorations, the geometric friezes and foliage twisted use on walls, ceilings and fireplaces. You can spot the heraldic motifs related to the House of Savoy – knots and scrolls with the motto “FERT” and “always forward”
The coffered ceilings, wooden panels and furniture inspired by medieval art are by the Turin Michael Dellera, supplier of the Royal House. A small underground decauville ( corridor ) connects the castle with the castle kitchens, located in a building nearby. The palace complex includes Villa Belvedere, originally used for guests and the royal gendarmerie, now owned by the Jesuit Fathers Leo XIII Institute of Milan and located in a short distance, a small house known as the Hermitage Carducci, dedicated to the memory of the poet who was a devoted singer and admirer of Queen Margaret.
Since 1981 the property belongs to the Autonomic Region of Valle d’Aosta. Underneath the castle lies the interesting botanical garden with alpine plants from all over the world. The castle with the garden are opened for visitors.
Opening hours:
daily 10.00-12.30 and 13.30-17.00( 19.00 summer )
Castel Savoia
Gressoney Saint Jean (AO)
phone: +39 0125355398
[ photo courtesy of Matteo Leoni]
