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“Parco del Valentino” is the oldest public park in Turin, a symbol of the city as much as the Mole Antonelliana. Located along the left bank of the Po River, between the monumental bridges entitled to Umberto I (on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II) and Isabella (on Corso Dante) and facing the hill, it was opened to the public in the second half of the XIX century; its origins, however, date back at least to the Middle Ages, when the toponym “Valentino” already existed.

Its first construction as a private ornamental park began in 1630, based on a project by Carlo Cognengo di Castellamonte and was then carried on until 1660 by his son Amedeo.
In the second half of the XIX century, with the demolition of the walls by Napoleon, Turin began a new urban phase, with a consequent new need for public parks. In 1863-1864, the administration started the construction of a large green facility around Valentino Castle, with the partial redesign of the existing garden by the French architect Barillet-Deschamps; the latter was inspired by the English landscape style and thus remodelled avenues, groves, and artificial valleys, building and a small gallop and a pond, which was later drained – it was used as a “skating rink” in the winter.

Between 1829 and 1961, the park hosted major national and international exhibitions. On the occasion of the 1884 Italian General Exhibition, the “Medieval Village” was built exactly with the same Middle Ages architectural style of Piedmont and Aosta Valley and enriched with a stronghold open to the public.

Valentino Park covers approximately 104 acres and boasts a remarkable arboreal heritage, interesting wild fauna and avifauna, cycle paths, fountains and other quaint architectural elements; many evocative sights and recreation areas are also offered to the public.
In addition to Valentino Castle and the medieval village, there is a Rocky Garden and the Botanical Garden of the University of Turin, the “Palazzina della Promotrice delle Belle Arti” and “Villino Caprifoglio”, home to the Children’s Reading Laboratory.

The five main access routes to the park:

Corso Massimo d’Azeglio ang. c.so Raffaello
Corso Massimo d’Azeglio, on the corner with Corso Marconi
Corso Massimo d’Azeglio, on the corner with Corso Vittorio Emanuele II
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, on the corner with Corso Cairoli, right before the monumental Umberto I bridge
Viale Marinai d’Italia (via the underpass under Isabella bridge / on Corso Dante)

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)