The Valentino Park: A Jewel of the Piedmontese Capital

The green area along the Po River is one of Turin’s lush lungs, full of charm and beauty.

Valentino Park is a public park located in Turin, in the historic district of San Salvario, just a stone’s throw from the city center.

In the 13th century, a chapel dedicated to St. Valentine of Terni is believed to have stood here, housing relics of the saint. After its destruction, the sacred remains were transferred to the Church of St. Vito.

This vast park, covering an area of 42.10 hectares, is considered one of Turin’s most iconic landmarks. The entire area was purchased in the 16th century by Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy. Between 1630 and 1660, the park became home to the namesake Castello del Valentino, a splendid 16th-century Savoyard residence and now one of the city's historic buildings. Frequently renovated, the castle features a French Baroque style and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it serves as a university facility.

Valentino Park is the outstanding result of a project by French landscape designer Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps.

Over the years, the area has hosted several national and international exhibitions. For the 1884 Italian General Exhibition, the charming Medieval Village of Valentino (Borgo Medievale del Valentino) was built. This faithful reconstruction of a 15th-century village includes houses, churches, fountains, squares, and artisan workshops, all lined along a single street known as the “Via Maestra.” The village is enclosed by walls and fortifications and dominated by a fortress (Rocca) inspired by the architecture of Piedmontese and Aosta Valley castles.

This beautiful Medieval Village was created between 1882 and 1884 by a group of artists under the direction of Portuguese architect Alfredo d’Andrade.

It also hosted the 1898 Italian General Exhibition and the 1911 Turin International Exposition.

Currently closed for restoration and refurbishment, the village is expected to reopen to the public in 2026, once again radiating that magical aura so characteristic of it—a sense of timelessness that, although belonging to a bygone era, remains vivid in the collective memory.

Within Valentino Park is the famous Fountain of the 12 Months. According to legend, this is the very spot where Phaethon, son of Helios, fell to Earth after persuading his father to let him drive the solar chariot for a day. Young and inexperienced, he lost control of the horses and crashed to the ground.

The fountain features an oval basin fed by a small central waterfall. A terrace above the basin showcases four groups of statues representing the rivers that run through Turin: the Po, the Dora, the Stura, and the Sangone. Adorning the terrace are twelve female statues symbolizing the months of the year. The fountain was designed by architect and urban planner Carlo Ceppi.

At the park’s northern entrance stands the Valentino Arch, a triumphal arch built to honor the Artillery Corps, designed by sculptor Pietro Canonica.

Near the castle and Medieval Village lies the Rock Garden and Rose Garden, created by Giuseppe Ratti. This garden is a scenic haven filled with plants, benches, sculptures, streams, small waterfalls, water features, paths, and flower beds that change with the seasons. Among its highlights is the beloved “Lovers’ Bench,” a striking sculpture depicting two lampposts sitting on a bench, embracing each other—a perfect spot for romantic couples.

Meanwhile, a street organ plays the nostalgic tune of the popular song “Piemontesina bella (translated in English)”:

“…
Remember those evenings spent at Valentino
with the blond student who held you close to his heart.”

Admission to this magnificent park is free, and it is especially popular with individuals, the elderly, families with children, and dog owners.

As you stroll along the park’s avenues, it’s easy to spot countless gray squirrels leaping from branch to branch or suddenly darting out from a blooming flowerbed.

Photo: the park (from mywowo.net)