The Great Gallery

The Great Gallery, architectural masterpiece of the 18th century, is one of the most surprising and spectacular spaces of the Reggia di Venaria.

The Gallery, that connected the apartments of the King to that of the Crown Prince, is one of the most surprising and spectacular spaces of the complex. Its magnificent decorations are the work of Pietro Filippo Somasso, Giuseppe Bolina, Antonio Papa and Giovambattista Sanbartolomeo.

The size of the Gallery is also remarkable: 15 meters in height at the center of the vault, 80 meters in length and 12 in width.

Under the French occupation the original flooring was moved to the Beaumont Gallery in Turin. The current floor dates from 1995 and replicates Juvarra's design.

One of the peculiarities of the Great Gallery lies in the splendid light effects created by 44 tall windows and 22 “eyelets” (openings that are oval on the inside, but rectangular on the outside) on the ceiling. The resulting lights and shadows further enhance the rich decorations and the two elaborate exedras at the ends, never failing to inspire awe in all visitors.