La Reggia di Valcasotto
Augmented Renaissance Royal Castle in Italy

La Reggia di Valcasotto was erected some time around the 10th century. It later became a Carthusian Monastery and was destroyed by a series of fires. It was renovated during the 18th century. The monks were suppressed in the early 19th century during the occupation by French troops.

Charles Albert purchased the property in 1837. Itt remained in Savoy hands until 1881. In that year, with only slight alterations to the original monastery, it became a castle, and was mainly used by Victor Emanuel II for his hunting trips. Humbert I decided, after 44 years as a Savoy possession, to sell it to private owners.

Unesco World Heritage Site

Unesco name of World Heritage site: Residences of the Royal House of Savoy (added in 1997)

Justification for Inscription: The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (i), (ii), (iv) and (v), considering that the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy in and around Turin represent a comprehensive overview of European monumental architecture in the 17th and 18th centuries, using style, dimensions, and space to illustrate in an exceptional way the prevailing doctrine of absolute monarchy in material terms.