Palazzo Birago
THE RESULT OF THE UNIFICATION OF TWO OF THE CASTLE’S SUPPORT BUILDINGS

This building is the result of the unification of two buildings: the one looking onto Piazza Castello was built during the mid eighteenth century by architect Ignazio Birago di Borgaro within the framework of the formation of the new square in front of the residence which had now become part of the Savoy household.

The façade on the street is also part of the eighteenth century phase, it is characterised by a formal style which is similar to that of the Castle.

In the right hand corner of the façade on the square we can clearly see the attachment of a structure which was never actually built, but which was meant to close the large square with a twin wing to that of the Church Gallery.

In a wide stretch of via Principe Tommaso the last remnants of the most ancient constructive nucleus of the building are still partially legible. They consist of a window (now closed up) with terracotta frames "with Guelph style crosses", elements which allow it to be dated to the 16th century.

The interior of the building, which develops around a central courtyard, without architectural characteristics of structural interest, has been abandoned for decades.

The courtly style is at the surface level, very much present in the external curtains, with the articulation of the plastic decoration. It is linked to the royal pomp of the square and has an important decorative effect.

Considering the simplicity of the interiors, it was probably erected with a precisely decorative function and to be used as a support to the Castle, to house part of the duty personnel, which comprised seventy people in 1920, not including the administrative staff.