VENARIA REALE, Palace

The straight road that crosses the village of Venaria Reale led you into the great courtyard, a large square that opens up just in front of the Baroque complex: the main building is at the back of the square, while on the left where you see the two towers and shingled roofs lies the wing with the Gallery that ends in a chapel dedicated to Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters.

The ornaments that you can see in white plaster on the façade are the symbols of Savoy wealth: shells, fruit, and horns of plenty.

Now pause the audio and go to the Sala di Diana.

You are now in Sala di Diana, or Diana's Hall, which is the most magnificent hall in the palace and was clearly used for hosting grand banquets. The decorations are so elaborate that you don't even know where to start looking. The ceiling is decorated with square stuccoes and frescoes representing the Gods of Olympus. In the middle you can see ten portraits of the Dukes of Savoy on horseback, while lower you can see the same number of canvases dedicated to hunting deer, hare, bear, fox, and boar. The same man also created the frescoes: he was a Flemish painter named Jan Miel who worked in Turin.

Now pause the audio and go to the Galleria Grande....