
MM Editor•Apr 19, 2026
Castello di Rivoli — A Savoy Palace Turned Italy's First Contemporary Museum
At a Glance
Castello di Rivoli 15 km west of Turin was a Savoy royal palace transformed into Italy's first contemporary art museum in 1984. The half-finished Baroque castle is a UNESCO site and hosts 1,100 works, especially Arte Povera.
Modern Art in a Royal Palace
Filippo Juvarra began rebuilding in 1713 but funds ran out, leaving the 147 m Manica Lunga unfinished. Andrea Bruno's minimal-intervention 1984 conversion preserved Baroque frescoes beneath installations.
Highlights
- Cattelan's Novecento (1997) hanging horse.
- Arte Povera — Anselmo, Pistoletto, Merz, Penone.
- 147 m Manica Lunga for solo shows.
- Cerruti Collection at Villa Cerruti (by appointment).
- Garden sculptures, free entry.
Visiting Tips
Bus 36 or taxi from Porta Susa. €9; €17 combined. 2.5–3 hours. Closed Mon–Tue. Pair with GAM Torino.