Castello Ducale di Agliè

Agliè´s castle, built in 1141, was demolished and re-built many times over the years. In 1536 it was besieged and sacked. Filippo of Agliè, minister of Maria Cristina (the regent Royal Lady), commissioned the rebuilding of the castle until it was demolished again by the French army. In 1764 it become property of the House of Savoy and was given to the Duke of Chiablese, who enlarged the castle following the project of the architect Birago from Borgaro.

The subsequent owners were the Dukes of Genoa - for them it was their favourite residence. According to tradition, any royal births of Princes of the House of Savoy and Genoa took place in the castle. The castle is now owned by the state and it is under the supervision of the Piedmont Monuments Department. It´s a brick building and instead of occupying an elevated position overlooking the town, it emerges from the background.

The Park

The park has changed many times throughout the centuries and just a few of them can be seen today. Its current layout is the result of two different phases: the first took place in the 18th century, when the fountain´s exedra and the sculptures representing Orco, Malone e Dore (three local rivers) were built. The second, in the following century, was characterized by English style arrangements. The garden, part of which is a hanging garden, has kept a typical Italian style in the west area, with little trails and flowerbeds surrounded by bushes. Restoration took place between 1979 and 1981. The park is now open to the public.