Graneri della Roccia Palace

The Palazzo Graneri della Roccia, located in via Bogino in Turin, is a significant example of Piedmontese Baroque architecture. Built between 1681 and 1699 according to the design of architect Giovanni Francesco Baroncelli for Marc’Antonio Graneri, commendatory abbot of Entremont and First Almoner of the court, the palace represents one of the most prestigious noble buildings in the city. Its imposing and sober facade scenically opens onto a sumptuous atrium and a portico that leads to an inner courtyard. The heart of the palace is represented by the grand hall of honor, designed to resemble that of the Reggia di Venaria, with a plastic decoration created in 1781 by architect Dellala di Beinasco and artist Bernero. This hall, with its twelve meters in height and one hundred and fifty square meters in surface area, is a true architectural gem, historically used for receptions, concerts, and theatrical performances. Among the historical events hosted in the hall, the celebration on September 7, 1706 stands out, when Duke Vittorio Amedeo II, together with Prince Eugenio of Savoy and General Daun, celebrated the Piedmontese victory over the French troops during the siege of Turin. In January 1859, the hall was also the venue for the Grand Ball organized to celebrate the wedding between Princess Maria Clotilde of Savoy and Prince Girolamo Bonaparte. This socially significant event attracted the attention of Turin’s high society and contributed to consolidating the palace’s reputation as a center of social life and culture. In 1858, the Circle of Artists, founded eleven years earlier by lawyer Luigi Rocca, moved its headquarters to Palazzo Graneri. The palace, with its imposing and sober facade, is a splendid example of Piedmontese Baroque architecture, built between 1681 and 1699 by architect Giovanni Francesco Baroncelli for Marc’Antonio Graneri. This building is one of the most prestigious noble palaces in the city, characterized by an imposing and sober facade that opens onto a sumptuous atrium and a portico leading to an inner courtyard. The hall of honor, designed to resemble that of the Reggia di Venaria, is the beating heart of the palace. With its twelve meters in height and one hundred and fifty square meters in surface area, the hall is decorated with splendid stuccoes created in 1781 by architect Dellala di Beinasco and artist Bernero. This space has hosted numerous historically and culturally significant events. One of the most memorable moments was on September 7, 1706, when Duke Vittorio Amedeo II, together with Prince Eugenio of Savoy and General Daun, celebrated the Piedmontese victory over the French troops during the siege of Turin. Another socially significant event took place in January 1859, when the Grand Ball was organized in the hall to celebrate the wedding between Princess Maria Clotilde of Savoy and Prince Girolamo Bonaparte. This ball attracted Turin’s high society and consolidated the palace’s reputation as a center of social life and culture. Since 1858, the palace has been the headquarters of the Circle of Artists, a cultural association founded eleven years earlier by lawyer Luigi Rocca. The Circle of Artists played a fundamental role in Turin’s cultural life, hosting events, exhibitions, and concerts. Among the distinguished presidents and members of the Circle are personalities such as Massimo D’Azeglio, Stefano Tempia, Francesco Tamagno, Alfredo Casella, Nino Costa, and Camillo Benso di Cavour. The latter had his private studio in the palace, a place that witnessed important historical meetings. The Circle of Artists has accumulated a significant artistic heritage over the decades, with a collection of about 700 works including paintings, sculptures, and lithographs, as well as a photographic archive and a library of over 9,000 volumes. This heritage testifies to the rich artistic life of Turin between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In 1942, during an air raid, the palace suffered damage from incendiary fragments, but fortunately the damage was limited and the building was quickly restored. After the war, the palace continued to be an important cultural center, hosting events and exhibitions to this day. In 2006, the Circle of Artists moved to the Giardiniera Reale, while the noble floor of the Palazzo Graneri della Roccia became the headquarters of the Circolo dei Lettori Foundation. This foundation continues to promote culture and literature through a wide range of events, conferences, and meetings with authors, keeping alive the cultural spirit of the palace. The palace has a complex layout, with a large atrium leading to a pebbled inner courtyard. The interiors are richly decorated, with stuccoes, frescoes, and furnishings reflecting the elegance and sophistication of the Baroque period. The monumental stairs and sumptuous rooms testify to the splendor of Turin’s noble life.