The Royal Museums are located in the heart of the city (in Piazzetta Reale next to Piazza Castello) and offer a fascinating itinerary with artefacts dating from the prehistoric era to the present time. This large museum project encompasses Palazzo Reale (the Royal Palace), the Royal Gardens, the Library, the Royal Armoury, the Savoy Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, Palazzo Chiablese and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud.

The royal museums were the residence of the Savoys until 1865, and nowadays they are owned by the Italian government. The museum tour comprises a 3km route spread over 30,000 sq.m. and 7 hectares of Royal Gardens. In 1563, Duke Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy moved the capital of the duchy from Chambéry to Turin, marking the beginning of a major urban transformation and enrichment of the dynastic collections, which now include artefacts from the prehistoric era to the present time.

The Galleria del Beaumont, home to the Royal Armoury, can be accessed from Palazzo Reale via the Sala del Medagliere. The Royal Armoury opened to the public in 1837 and hosts one of the world’s richest collections of ancient arms and armours (together with the Royal Armoury of Madrid and the Imperial Armoury of Vienna): it also houses more than 5,000 objects ranging from the Prehistoric era to the 20th century, including an unmissable section dedicated to 16th-century arms and armour. The artefacts displayed come from both the private collection of the King of Italy as well as acquisitions and donations, often associated with diplomatic activities. A prime example are the oriental and African arms and armours.