Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi

The Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi is a royal hunting lodge in Nichelino, about 10 km (6 miles) south-west of Turin in Piedmont, Italy. Designed by Filippo Juvarra for Victor Amadeus II and begun in 1729, it forms part of the UNESCO-listed Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. Its plan radiates from an oval central hall crowned with a bronze stag, a motif that reflects the hunting purpose of the building. The complex is managed by the Ordine Mauriziano, which runs the museum and park.

Getting there is straightforward by public transport. GTT bus line 41 runs from Lingotto FS station to Stupinigi in about 20 minutes, and from the Porta Nuova area the full journey takes about 30-40 minutes on a City ticket of EUR 1.90 (~$2.19). Another option is tram 4 to Piazzale Caio Mario and then line 41. Driving takes about 25 minutes and free parking is available nearby.

Inside, the visit covers the Salone Centrale with its trompe-l'oeil frescoes, the royal apartments with furniture and decoration from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the Museo di Arte e Ammobiliamento, which displays period furnishings. Outside, the large park and surrounding fields suit a slow walk or a picnic, and the grounds are also used for events and equestrian activities. The site is more compact than other Savoy residences, so a visit can be done in a morning.

A practical one-day arc is to travel out by bus in the morning, tour the palazzina and its apartments, then walk the park before lunch. Food options near the palace are limited, so visitors often bring a picnic in good weather or eat in Nichelino or on the way back in Lingotto. The afternoon can be used for a second stop, such as the Lingotto complex with its rooftop test track and the Pinacoteca Agnelli. May and June are particularly pleasant for the park, while winter visits are best for the interiors. Opening days vary, and the palazzina is often closed on Mondays, so the Ordine Mauriziano website should be checked in advance.