- Location: Royal Palace of Turin, P.za Castello, Turin
- Established in: 1842
- Founded by: King Charles Albert
- Architect: Pelagio Palagi
- Collection size: Over 200,000 print volumes, manuscripts, and drawings
- Notable Artifacts: Codex on the Flight of Birds, Geocarta Nautica Universale
What is the Royal Library of Turin?
The Royal Library of Turin, also known as the Biblioteca Reale, is an important historic and cultural landmark located in Turin, Italy. It was established in 1720 by King Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia. The library is home to many rare books and manuscripts, including a large collection of drawings and etchings gathered over the years by the House of Savoy. The Royal Library of Turin is part of the Royal Palace of Turin that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most important libraries in Italy.
Royal Library of Turin | Quick Facts
Why Visit the Royal Library of Turin?
- Historical importance: The Royal Library of Turin, is a collection of centuries of knowledge consisting of manuscripts and drawings accumulated by the House of Savoy.
- Vast collection: The Royal Library of Turin houses an extensive collection of books, manuscripts, drawings, maps, and other valuable documents.
- Significant works: Works such as Leonardo da Vinci's Codex on the Flight of Birds, his self-portrait in red chalk, and studies of various paintings are considered historically valuable documents.
- Hall and Study Room: Explore the halls of one of Italy's most important libraries and scour through rare books.
Plan Your Visit to the Royal Library of Turin
The Monumental Hall
Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 6.30 PM and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 1.30 PM
The Reading Room
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 8.30 AM – 6.30 PM
Thursday and Friday: 8.30 AM – 3:15 PM
Saturday: 8.30 AM – 1.30 PM
Closed: Sunday
Best time to visit: The Royal Library is quiet and often free of disturbances. But if you would like a less crowded experience, we suggest visiting during the morning hours as tour groups and visitors tend to fill the library later on.
Address: Piazzetta Castello, 191, 10122 Turin TO, Italy [Find on Maps]
The Royal Library of Turin is located on the ground floor of the museum complex of the Royal Palace of Turin. You can find it on the right of the main entrance of the Royal Palace. The Royal Library has its own entrance at the start of the building.
Collections in the Royal Library of Turin
Works of Leonardo Da Vinci
One of the most notable treasures housed within the Royal Library of Turin is Leonardo da Vinci's figural sketches, self-portraits, and studies among which the Portrait of a Man in Red Chalk is the most famous. The Codex on the Flight of Birds, a manuscript containing da Vinci's observations and sketches on the principles of bird flight is also a prized possession.
Rare Books and Manuscripts
The Royal Library of Turin boasts an extensive collection of printed volumes, pamphlets, manuscripts, and ancient papers that make up over 200,000 assets. You. You will also find the House of Savoy's 4000 copies of brightly colored and illustrated illuminated manuscripts which were a personal collection of the Savoys.
Drawings
The library's collection also encompasses rare artistic and architectural drawings. Artistic renderings such as the View of Carde and Castle of Azeglio by Bagetti Giuseppe Pietro are important works in the Library. You will also find various treatises on civil and military architecture, nautical charts, and engravings of the Theatrum Sabaudiae.
History of the Royal Library of Turin in a Nutshell
The Royal Library of Turin was founded by The King of Sardinia, Charles Albert of the House of Savoy. It was part of a political agenda involving revitalizing the region's cultural identity and institutions. In 1842, he established the Royal Library of Turin as a way of safeguarding the manuscripts that were collected over centuries by members of the Savoy Dynasty.
Designs for the library were already thought of when he purchased Giovanni Volpato's collection of core drawings and studies of great Italian and foreign artists and architects in 1839. The painter Pelagio Palagi was charged with decorating and refurbishing the Library's interiors into the splendid temple of knowledge it is today.
After the Second World War, the ownership of the library was handed to the Italian state, and has since been a public library.
Royal Library of Turin Today | Influence & Significance
The Royal Library of Turin is a library of global repute. Much work in the field of library sciences has been done to illustrate the importance of the Royal Library as it is considered a repository of historical knowledge and documents. Archivists and Scholars from prestigious institutions visit the library to acquire archival resources that cannot be sourced elsewhere. The Royal Library of Turin, because of its repute has also become a space for intellectual discussions and academic collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Royal Library of Turin
Yes, the Royal Library of Turin is a public library and can be accessed for free.
The Royal Library of Turin is a historical library founded by the House of Savoy and is known for its rare manuscripts, books, and drawings.
The Royal Library of Turin is located in the museum complex of the Royal Palace of Turin and can be accessed via Piazzetta Castello through the main entrance.
Yes, the Royal Library of Turin is still used by the general public and scholars. It is also an important forum for academic research.
The Royal Library of Turin was established in 1842 by King Charles Albert of the House of Savoy.
Yes, you may use the study room. However, usage of the study room requires an appointment. You can contact the library authorities to book your slot.
Yes, books can be borrowed. But in order to do so, you must be a university student.
