Castello di Masino

The Castello di Masino is one of the grandest historic castles in Piedmont, a former noble residence set on a hill above the Canavese plain near Caravino, between Turin and the lakes. For around ten centuries it was the seat of the Counts Valperga, who claimed descent from Arduin of Ivrea, the first king of Italy, and the family lived here through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque era, leaving a residence rich in layered history. Since 1988 it has been cared for by the FAI, the Italian national trust, which has restored and opened it to the public. Visitors tour a long sequence of richly furnished rooms, including frescoed halls, a ballroom, a library, bedchambers and a remarkable collection of historic carriages displayed in the former stables, all evoking the life of a powerful aristocratic family across the centuries. Outside, terraced gardens and a vast park designed in the romantic style offer box-hedge parterres, a maze, sweeping lawns and panoramic terraces with wide views toward the Alps and Lake Viverone. The castle is especially celebrated for its spring events, above all the great open-air flower and garden show held each year, which fills the grounds with rare plants and nurseries. A visit combining the interior and gardens takes around two hours. The castle opens seasonally, generally from spring to autumn, and is busiest during its flower shows and on summer weekends; weekdays are quieter. Spring and early summer are the loveliest for the gardens. Reached by car from Turin in under an hour, the Castello di Masino is a rewarding hidden gem for lovers of history, gardens and panoramic landscapes in northern Piedmont.