Castle Savoia, also known as the Savoy Castle, is an old residence that can be found in the Aosta region of Italy. Its construction began in 1899, finishing in 1904, and the castle was commissioned by Margherita of Savoy. Margherita of Savoy decided to build her residence in the region thanks to its beautiful Lys Valley and the villa of Barons Peck-Beccoz, which is now known as Villa Margherita in her honour. In 1981, Castel Savoia was taken into the hands of the Aosta Valley region.
The Castel is made up of three buildings, the Villa Belvedere, the castle proper, and the Romitaggio Carducci. Designed by Emilio Stramucci, the Castel is made of three stories and features five turreted towers. Historically, the ground floor would have comprised the living quarters, the first floor would have housed royal apartments and on the second floor, only gentlemen of the court would have been permitted to stay.
The views from the castle are renowned, featuring sights over Monte Rosa and the neighbouring valley, ending at the Lyskamm glacier. Most notably, the grounds of the castle feature the Savoy Castle Alpine Botanical Garden, a popular tourist destination. Opened in just 1990, the garden consists of a wide selection of plants from across the world including the martagon lily, globeflower and fireweed. It allows visitors all year long, although the best time to visit is in the height of summer.
Margherita of Savoy was a popular Italian figure. The refined Queen of Italy was a keen mountain climber, being the first woman to summit Monte Rosa. Every summer she would visit Castel Savoia to holiday and enjoy the opportunity to walk in the region.
If you want to pay tribute to Margherita of Savoy, you can walk in her footsteps and take her favorite walks. She often began at the Castel and hiked three kilometers until she reached an altitude of over one thousand meters. The route is suitable for everyone and halfway along you will find Lake Gover, a beautiful body of water that is frozen over in the winter months.
The rooms of the Castel have been heavily influenced by her tastes including coffered ceilings, wood paneling, and floral themes. Margherita of Savoy was a particular fan of daises, which can be spotted in parts of the castle by eagle-eyed visitors. Perhaps the most notable room is the Queen’s bedroom. Its veranda overlooks the beautiful Monte rosa and boasts the original furnishings, now regarded as valuable antiques.
If you cannot visit during the summer, the winter months also highlight the beauty of Castel Savoia and its botanical garden. Often, the park will be covered by a blanket of soft snow and visitors can take a guided snowshoeing tour around the grounds. Experienced hikers can even trek along the glacier, which is found not far from Castel Savoia, at the end of the valley. Often Margherita of Savoy would take on this hike, accompanied by her friend Baron Louis Beck Peccoz.
