The Chapel of the Holy Shroud is part of the Royal Museum complex in Turin, along with the Royal Palace, the Galleria Sabauda, the Museo di antichità, the Royal Gardens, the Royal Armoury, the Royal Library and the Sale Chiablese.
First commissioned by Duke Charles Emmanuel of Savoy from Carlo di Castellamonte to house the Shroud of Turin, in the possession of the Dukes of Savoy since 1453, building of the chapel took over 80 years (1611-1694). In 1667, the project was finally entrusted to the architect, Brother Guarino Guarini.
The building looks square from outside, connected to both the Duomo and the Royal Palace. The brick roof, on a polygonal plan, has 6 large arched windows and a cupola. The chapel interiors are a Baroque celebration, with black marble on the lower part topped with grey marble on the upper, and Antonio Bertola’s altar in the centre. The circular layout is divided into 5 chapels, with the central chapel functioning as an apse. The flooring has a pattern in black and white marble, with bronze stars reflecting the light. It is all topped by a cupola, a clever construction with six levels of arches that get smaller as they reach the top, which makes it appear even taller as it filters the light.
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