Palazzo Madama and Casaforte degli Acaja, Turin

Welcome to one of the most intellectually fascinating buildings in all of Europe: Pah-lat-zo Mah-dah-ma. Standing here in the center of Pee-at-zah Cas-tel-lo, you are looking at two thousand years of history compressed into a…

To understand Pah-lat-zo Mah-dah-ma, we must start at the very bottom. Deep in the basement and along the western side, you can still see the massive, rugged brickwork of the Roman gate. …

If we move to the back of the building, we see the dark, austere side of Pah-lat-zo Mah-dah-ma—the Cas-ah-for-te del-lee Ah-kah-yah. In the 14th century, the Sah-voy family expanded the original fortification into a full castle. …

Now, we step back into Pee-at-zah Cas-tel-lo to face the most famous aspect of the building: the stunning Baroque facade designed by Fi-lip-po Yoo-var-rah between 1718 and 1721. This was commissioned by the second Madame Re-ale,…

Tucked away near the fortress walls is a hidden gem: the Jar-dee-no del Preen-chee-pe, or the Prince's Garden. This garden was originally established in 1402 by Lu-do-vee-ko d'Ah-kah-yah. …

Entering through Yoo-var-rah's facade, we encounter the Grand Staircase, perhaps the most spectacular architectural space in To-ree-no. Yoo-var-rah was not just an architect; he was a master of theater design, and this staircase…

For our final stop, we ascend the North-East Tower. From this vantage point, you can enjoy one of the most stunning 360-degree views of the city. …

As we conclude our tour of Pah-lat-zo Mah-dah-ma, take a final look at the building’s two faces. This structure is the ultimate symbol of To-ree-no's dual soul: it is both a fortress and a palace, a site of rugged defense and…