Complesso della Margaria

At the edge of Racconigi's royal park, the Margaria is a nineteenth-century complex of a casina, stables and a small lake, where the Savoy court established a model farm.

Why it matters

The Margaria represents the agricultural side of the royal residence. Built as part of the nineteenth-century transformation of Racconigi's park, the complex combines a picturesque casina, working stables and water features. It reflects the period's interest in agricultural improvement on the royal estate and forms part of the royal residence at Racconigi.

What to notice

The casina combines a cottage-like form with a romantic design suited to the park. Its interior includes the Reposoir of Queen Maria Teresa and the Cappella del Beato Alberto. Stables and service buildings record the site's agricultural role; a small lake forms part of the complex. The neo-Gothic character of the outbuildings links the Margaria to Pelagio Palagi and Xavier Kurten's wider work at Racconigi.

Context and history

The Margaria grew out of the transformation of Racconigi into a full royal residence after Carlo Alberto’s accession in 1831. Xavier Kurten reshaped the grounds, while Pelagio Palagi contributed to the service architecture as part of the park's nineteenth-century transformation. Its agricultural function reflects the practical role of the royal estate. The complex passed to the Italian State with the rest of the residence in 1980 and now falls within the UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 1997.