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The Chapel of the Holy Shroud

The Chapel of the Holy Shroud is a place of great intrigue. It was constructed to hold the  Shroud of Turin, a revered and mysterious relic of Jesus Christ, and stands today as a site of veneration. Many, however, simply visit the Chapel because of its enrapturing interior architecture. The 17th-century chapel was designed by the Piedmont mathematician and architect, Guarino Guarini and is today considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture. Today, you can visit the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, situated near the Royal Palace of Turin.

Why Visit the Chapel of the Holy Shroud?

Chapel of the Holy Shroud
  • Spectacular Architecture: Enjoy the breathtaking interior architecture of the Chapel, adorned with black marble and embellishments.
  • A Religious Landmark: Since its construction, people from across the globe come to venerate the Shroud of Turin at the Holy Chapel.
  • A Rich History: The Shroud of Turin was in the possession of the House of Savoy for centuries. Learn about its unique history and that the of the Chapel dedicated to it.
  • The Altar of the Shroud: The Shroud of Turin was once kept in the central altar of the Chapel. Visit to see its exquisite marble structure, decorations, and sculptures.  
  • The Dome: The six-leveled dome of the Chapel, constructed by Guarino Gaurini, is said to be of unparalleled beauty.
Plan Your Visit to the Royal Palace of Turin

Plan Your Visit to the Chapel of the Holy Shroud

Chapel of the Holy Shroud

The opening hours of the Chapel of the Holy Shroud are the same as that of the Royal Palace of Turin. That is Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM

Last Admission: 6 PM

Closed: Monday

Royal Palace of Turin Opening Hours
Chapel of the Holy Shroud

The Chapel of the Holy Shroud is located in the museum complex of the Royal Palace of Turin, also known as the Musei Reali. You can find the Chapel of the Holy Shroud between the Cathedral of Turin and the Royal Palace building.

History of The Chapel of the Holy Shroud In a Nutshell

Since 1515, Turin had been occupied by the French Armies. With the need to reassert the Savoy dynasty's political identical, the chapel was commissioned in 1610 by the Duke Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy to preserve the holy relic of the Shroud of Turin that had been with the family for centuries, in the hope that it would reignite the region's perception of the Dynasty's divine rule and authority. Work on the chapel ceased in 1624 when its foundations were laid, around the time when rampant poverty and the plague struck a blow to public morale. It was revived by Charles Emmanuel II in 1657. The chapel took close to 80 years to complete, with several interventions by various architects including Guarino Guarini who worked on its ethereal dome. In 1694 the Shroud was finally placed there. The Chapel was closed after a great fire in 1997 that destroyed much of the chapel. After 30 years of restoration, the Chapel was reopened in 2018.

Architecture of The Chapel of the Holy Shroud

Chapel of the Holy Shroud

Baroque, as an architectural style, is known for its loud and elaborate medium of visual persuasion. A suitable medium that was possibly deployed to counter the Savoy Dynasty's failing image and power after its foreign occupation. The structure follows a geometric sequence of circles, triangles, and hexagons, neatly aligned on top of each other eliciting a combination of mysticism and dynamic engineering. Everything from the engravings and moldings is rich in symbolic motifs and with original artistic innovation in the lunettes and pilasters.

What is the Shroud of Turin?

Shroud of Turin

The Shroud of Turin or La Sindone is a Christian relic that is said to be the burial cloth in which the body of Jesus Christ was wrapped and interred in a tomb. Made of linen, the cloth bears the faint impression of a face and a body, said to be that of Jesus himself. It was first presented in the new collegiate church of Lirey in northern France in 1354. It was acquired by the House of Savoy in 1453 and moved to their capital in Turin in 1578.

The Shroud fails archeological examinations like radiocarbon dating that trace it back to the medieval period, nowhere close to the death of Christ. Still, the Shroud is venerated by Catholics all over and commands international attention, although the Catholic Church has disputed its authenticity. Pope Francis in 2013 said the artifact was merely an "icon of a man scourged and crucified".

Highlights of the Chapel of the Holy Shroud

The Interior Structure 

The base of the Chapel follows an ellipsoidal structure, following the initial circular foundation laid in the time of Ascanio Vitozzi. The curved walls are decorated with black Fabrosa marble that adds to the somber ambiance and features prominent arches and vertical pilasters. Guarini's pilasters have capitals of the Corinthian order that are artistically encircled with a crown of thorns and a passion flower in the center where three nails emerge like the stigmata of an actual flower. The floor is made of inlaid marble arranged in concentric circles.

The Drum

Preceding the chapel's dome is the truncated drum that sits on top of the walls of the chapels. It consists of three large arches that create lunettes and pendentives in the spaces between. Each lunette and pendentive has a circular window through which light enters and flushes the chapel in sunlight. The arches are engraved with nails of the Passion, and on the lunettes are motifs of the Greek and Jerusalem crosses and stars.

The Upper level of the Drum 

The second level of the drum elongates the base of the dome, taking the total height of the structure to another level. The base is that of a ring walkway on which tall arched windows are supported. The light through the windows illuminates the drum and the dome above it. Between the arches are decorative niches. Above them are geometric motifs that are symbolic in nature.

The Dome

The dome is possibly the most impressive part of the chapel. Composed of six levels of six overlapping arches each, the dome towers upwards and culminates in a suspended golden star at the top. When looked at from below, the dome resembles an almost transcendental geometric pattern of six hexagons aligned on top of each other, with divine light pouring through the windowed crevices.

The Altar

In the center of the chapel is a platform with balustraded rails. An altar made of black marble and decorated with gilded wood is surmounted on it by Piedmontese architect and engineer Antonio Bertola. The Shroud of Turin was positioned in the center of the altar and inside a glass encasing. A golden grating, almost like a cage surrounds the casing. . The altar is placed such that it allows viewing of the relic from the sides. Much of the altar was destroyed in the fire and has seen undergone intense restorations.

Monuments

In the 19th century, monuments dedicated to the members of the Savoy family were installed in the recesses of the chapel's arched walls. The figures include those of the first Duke of Savoy, Amadeus VIII, Emmanuel Philibert, Thomas of Savoy, and Charles Emmanuel II, under whom much of the chapel was completed.

Can I see the Shroud of Turin?

Despite the Chapel being dedicated to holding the relic, the Shroud of Turin is not held in the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. Due to its delicate and fragile state, the Shroud is preserved in the Cathedral of Turin, where it is stored in climate controlled environment of the Chapel. It was displayed in an exhibition in 2015 and has since not been revealed to the public.

Although you cannot see the actual Shroud of Turin you can look at neat replicas at the Most Holy Shroud Museum.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Chapel of the Holy Shroud

The Chapel of the Holy Shroud is a chapel inside the Musei Reali or Royal Palace of Turin dedicated to holding the Shroud of Turin.

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