Galleria Archeologica in Turin Reopening

 

 

In late February of 2022, the Galleria Archeologica reopened its doors of the Palazzo Reale, revealing a new 1,000 piece archaeological exhibit. Out of the 30,000 pieces, just 1,000 have been selected to illustrate the history of the Savoy Dynasty. Musei Reali’s director Enrica Pagella remarks that “we have given the city back the roots of its identity.” Roman statues and portraits line the walls of the Musei Reali dating back to ancient Roman antiquity, organized by generations of Savoy Dukes. 

Beginning in the 16th century, there are two notable fakes in the gallery: Signs of the Zodiac and a sleeping boy with Eros, remarking a time when these statues were seen as trophies rather than knowledge. 

Now known as the Savoy Collections, these pieces saw change in the 18th Century as they were contributed by and passed from the University of Turin by King Vittorio to influential playwrights such as Scipione Maffei. Egyptian artifacts also became a part of the collections, and have since been returned to the Museo Egizio. Archeologist Elisa Panero and architect Filippo Masino have been credited with the installation of the remaining Savoy Collection, now on display at the new Galleria Archeologica.

 

– Frank Pastula