Palazzo Carignano and Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento

Palazzo Carignano, at Via Accademia delle Scienze 5 in Turin's Centro Storico, Piedmont, is a landmark of Italian Baroque architecture designed by Guarino Guarini in the late 17th century. Its curved brick facade, richly decorated with terracotta details, is among the most distinctive in the city. The palace is historically important because it was the birthplace of King Victor Emmanuel II and, in 1861, the seat of the first Italian Parliament after unification. Today it houses the Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento, one of Italy's main museums dedicated to the movement for national unity. The galleries trace the period from the late 18th century to the unification of Italy through paintings, uniforms, weapons, documents, flags and personal objects, with spaces that preserve the original parliament chamber of the Subalpine Kingdom. The Apartments of the Princes, a separate visit, show the palace's lavish residential rooms. A visit takes about one and a half to two hours. The museum is most rewarding for visitors interested in Italian history, but the architecture alone, including the staircase and the grand chamber, justifies a stop. The facade is best photographed from the small square in front in morning light, and the interiors are calm on weekday mornings. Crowds are modest even in peak periods, though school groups sometimes visit. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from about 10AM to 6PM with last entry at 5PM, and is closed on Mondays. Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month, when queues can form. The palace sits five minutes on foot from both Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Castello, and Metro Line 1 stops at Porta Nuova. Visitors with an interest in architecture can pair the visit with Guarini's other work in the city, including San Lorenzo and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud.