The agreement revealed this morning sets the stage for an ambitious project to transform this historically and environmentally significant valuable area into a vibrant, accessible cultural hub. A place where the visitor experience is enhanced through a growing array of cultural offerings and innovative services, all designed to actively engage the public.
Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and the Royal Museums of Turin have teamed up to revitalise the Royal Gardens. The memorandum of understanding, unveiled in the Swiss Guards Hall of the Royal Palace, marks the launch of an ambitious project aimed at transforming this exceptional historical and environmental site into a cultural and social landmark for both the city and its visitors.
The presentation included speeches by Mario Turetta, Head of the Cultural Activities Department of the Ministry of Culture and Delegate Director of the Royal Museums of Turin; Marco Gilli, Chair of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo; Alberto Anfossi, Secretary General of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Filippo Masino, Director of the Regional Directorate of Museums of Piedmont. They all spoke about the significance and future potential of this collaboration.
“Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo works with institutions in a proactive and innovative manner, fostering a strategic vision and coordinated actions to implement impactful projects. In the realm of cultural heritage enhancement, this agreement serves as both a model of operational practice and a framework for creating a joint technical body involving the Royal Museums, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, the City of Turin, the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape, the Metropolitan City of Turin, and all public and private entities committed to enhancing the area. By working together, we aim to develop a strategic plan to improve the entire Royal Gardens area, coordinating efforts and resources to ensure the future of this extraordinary cultural site and its accessibility to the community.” Commented Marco Gilli, Chair of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo.
“We firmly believe that the redevelopment of the Royal Gardens, especially the reopening and enhancement of all its sections, is crucial to returning a cultural heritage of immense significance to the city, one that is deeply intertwined with its history and occupies a unique position in the heart of the historic centre. The close proximity between the Royal Gardens and the Cavallerizza Reale also presents an opportunity to create shared development pathways, allowing both areas to be enhanced in an integrated and sustainable manner. Our commitment to redeveloping the Cavallerizza Reale aligns perfectly with this vision, aiming to make these places accessible, vibrant, and dynamic, thus benefiting the community,” said Alberto Anfossi, Secretary General of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo.
Thanks to the collaboration between the Royal Museums and Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, the Royal Gardens are set to become an accessible and dynamic space for all. The agreement includes completing the restoration of the Royal Greenhouses, improving physical accessibility to the archaeological sites, integrating them into the museum’s itinerary and opening the lower Royal Gardens to the public. Additionally, the protocol covers the coordination of construction work and investments in the Bastione della Cavallerizza, focused on enhancing accessibility and creating new public pathways and services. A strategic master plan will oversee all enhancement work, ensuring the area is managed in an integrated and sustainable way.
The investment by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo of over one million euros for the 2025-2028 period, underscores its commitment to transforming the Royal Gardens into a model of cultural and environmental integration, one that connects history, nature and community.