CASTELLO DI CASOTTO

One of the most fascinating royal residences, the Casotto Castle, located in Valle Casotto, in the province of Cuneo, at an altitude of 1,090 metres, will return to welcome visitors from April 2023. The building, located on the road that connects the municipalities of Garessio and Pamparato and currently owned by the Piedmont Region, will be the subject of a redevelopment programme by Kalatà - a Monregalese cultural enterprise that has been working for years in the field of promoting cultural heritage. The castle, which stands on the remains of an ancient Carthusian monastery, was acquired by the Savoy family and transformed into a hunting lodge by Charles Albert. What immediately amazes and surprises is the immensity of this architecture, set amidst kilometres of forest, in an absolutely suspended space-time dimension.

In this place, suitable for prayer and meditation, the ancient Carthusian monks founded the Charterhouse in 1172, of which some archaeological evidence remains today. Repeatedly destroyed by fire and rebuilt, the Charterhouse was transformed from 1754 into its present form by architect Bernardo Vittone. After the Napoleonic suppression of the religious orders, in 1837 the complex was acquired by Charles Albert and used as a hunting lodge. A favourite place of Victor Emmanuel II, a lover of hunting and the summer residence of Marie Clotilde, the castle remained in the hands of the royal family until 1881, when it was sold to private owners and then acquired by the Region of Piedmont.

After a long period of closure, during which major restoration work was carried out, Casotto Castle returns to reveal itself to the public in all its wonder. The guided tour (duration 1h15) will allow the public (organised in small groups) to explore the exterior, the royal flats located in the north wing - complete with furnishings, the royal chapel and the bell tower.