Festive Days at the Castle

A castle that comes to life

Throughout the pleasant season, from April to August, the Castello della Manta opens its doors with a calendar of special events gathered under the name "Festive Days at the Castle". Managed by the FAI - National Trust for Italy since 1985, the manor overlooking the village of Manta, in the province of Cuneo, is one of the most cherished cultural destinations in lower Piedmont. During these days, the castle is not just a museum to visit, but a living space to enjoy for a few hours, featuring animated tours, outdoor games, and convivial moments in the park.

History of a noble residence

The castle's origins date back to the 13th century, when it was built as a military outpost about forty kilometers from Turin. For nearly four hundred years, it served as the residence of the Marquises of Saluzzo della Manta. In the 15th century, the cultured Valerano transformed it into a refined noble residence and commissioned the frescoes in the Baronial Hall, now considered one of the most important cycles of secular late-Gothic painting in Europe: the famous Fountain of Youth and the procession of the Nine Worthies and Nine Heroines, dressed in 15th-century fashion, recount the chivalric ideals of the era. The Hall of Grotesques and the gallery were added in the 16th century.

Activities on the program

The common thread of the "Festive Days" is the special guided tour: the public is accompanied by stories, anecdotes, and curiosities about the history of the castle and its inhabitants. Alongside the classic route, some dates feature themed tours dedicated to the fashion, mottos, memories, and traditions of the residence. For families, there are animated tours from the perspective of the castle staff and FAIr Play Family recreational activities for the little ones.

• Palm Garden: a path with accessible tours in LIS (Italian Sign Language) and Braille, reading books, and board games
• Picnics and aperitifs in the park, with a basket to be booked via email after purchasing the ticket online
• Creative workshops and egg hunts for children on spring holidays
• Accessible tours dedicated to specific dates

Why it is worth visiting

More than just a simple opening, "Festive Days at the Castle" is an opportunity to experience heritage in a relaxed and participatory way: you can spend an entire day among the frescoed rooms, the garden, and an outdoor lunch overlooking the hills of the Saluzzo area. It is the ideal formula to discover a masterpiece of the Piedmont Region without the rigidity of a traditional museum visit, perfect for families and those looking for a cultural experience tailored to everyone.