A beloved castle for filmmakers, the Ducal Castle was the site chosen for the drama “Elisa di Rivombrosa.”
It suffered damage from a siege and sack in 1536. Filippo di Agliè, minister of Maria Cristina, the regent Madama Reale, oversaw its reconstruction, until it was again ravaged by French soldiers.
In 1764 it passed to the House of Savoy and was given in appanage to the Duke of Chiablese, who improved and enlarged it to the designs of the architect Birago di Borgaro. It then passed to the dukes of Genoa whose favorite residence it was. It is said that all the princes of the House of Savoy-Genoa still living today were born there. It is currently state property, under the care of the Superintendence of Monuments for Piedmont. It is a brick building not elevated from the plane on which the village stands, but emerging at the bottom of it.
The park has taken on different aspects over the centuries, which can only partly be found in its present conformation. The present layout is the result of two different phases: the first eighteenth century to which the exedra of the fountain with sculptural groups depicting the Orc, the Malone and the Dora dates back. The second nineteenth century marked by an “English-style” Park setting. The garden, partly hanging, preserves in the western area the Italian-style Castellamontian setting composed of paths and flowerbeds with hedges.
Castle opening: January to December.
Park opening: May to October.
Opening times Tuesday to Sunday 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Last admission 6.30 p.m.