The Basilica of Superga rises from a mountain peak overlooking Turin, a project that took fourteen years to complete and remains a definitive example of baroque architectural ambition. Designed by Filippo Juvarra, the structure serves as both a picturesque monument and a royal mausoleum for the House of Savoy, reflecting the creator's sophisticated spatial command.
Early Development and Theatre Design
Born in 1678 in Messina, Sicily, Juvarra began his career within a family of goldsmiths and engravers. Ordained as a priest in 1703, he concurrently developed expertise in draughtsmanship and independent architectural study. After moving to Rome in 1704, he focused heavily on set design, pioneering the scena per angolo technique. His theatrical work flourished under the patronage of Cardinal Ottoboni and the widowed Queen of Poland, Marie Casimire d'Arquien, resulting in designs for operas such as Costantino Pio.
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Appointed chief court architect by Victor Amadeus II in 1714, Juvarra transformed the urban landscape of Turin. His ecclesiastical projects included the church of Santa Cristina, San Filippo, Santa Croce, and the chapel of San Giuseppe. He also designed the church of the Blessed Virgin of the Carmine, notable for its central hall lighting effects. The Stupinigi Palace, a royal hunting lodge constructed between 1729 and 1731, utilized a massive oval pavilion to blend classical grandeur with Italian Rococo ornamentation.
International Commissions
Juvarra's reputation facilitated significant international engagements. In 1719, he traveled to Portugal to plan the palace at Mafra for King John V. His designs for Lisbon included a monumental royal palace, a new cathedral, and a lighthouse at the Tagus river mouth. His career concluded with major projects in Spain, most notably his submission for the Royal Palace of Madrid before his death in 1736.
Fast facts
- Born: 1678, Messina
- Died: 1736, Madrid
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Sicily
- Notable work: Basilica of Superga
- Notable work: Palazzo Birago di Vische
- Notable work: Project of Filippo Juvarra for the Royal Palace of Madrid
Questions readers ask
What is the scena per angolo style?
It is a technique in scenic design literally meaning scenes at an angle, which diverged from traditional one-point perspective stage settings.
What was the purpose of the Basilica of Superga?
It was built as a royal mausoleum for the House of Savoy and to fulfill a vow taken by Victor Amadeus II during the Battle of Turin.
Achievements
- Notable work: Basilica of Superga
- Notable work: Palazzo Birago di Vische
- Notable work: Project of Filippo Juvarra for the Royal Palace of Madrid
- Worked as architect, designer and engineer
