Villa della Regina

The Villa della Regina stands on the hillside above the River Po on the Turin side, at Strada Comunale Santa Margherita 79, in Piedmont, Italy. It was begun in 1615 for Cardinal Maurice of Savoy, who commissioned a suburban villa in the Roman manner with terraced gardens, based on a design by Ascanio Vitozzi and later Carlo and Amedeo di Castellamonte. The name derives from Queen Anne d'Orleans, wife of Victor Amadeus II, who used it in the early 18th century, and the villa received new decoration and apartments under her.

The building has a central body flanked by wings facing a monumental courtyard, and it opens toward the garden with an open gallery and a large central staircase. Internally, the rooms include a hall with painted decoration, a series of Chinese cabinets and Rococo interiors. The decoration reflects the Savoy interest in oriental fashion and the Baroque taste for illusionistic ceiling painting. The villa's apartments, lacquered panels and silk wall coverings give an impression of the court's retreat.

The terraced Italianate garden descends in steps, with fountains, a theatre of water and the Grotta, a decorated grotto. A vineyard on the slope continues a tradition of wine production on the hillside, and the property has been described as the only urban vineyard of a royal residence in the region. The long axis from villa to garden creates a stage-like view over the city.

The villa suffered damage during the Second World War and long periods of neglect, but an extensive restoration programme returned it to visitors in 2006. Conservation continues on the plaster, paintings and garden structures. Opening is seasonal, generally Tuesday to Sunday, and prices vary, so confirm on museireali.beniculturali.it before visiting.