The Royal Library of Turin preserves precious medieval illuminated manuscripts – notably the luxurious missals of Duke Amedeo VIII – elegant portolans, rare incunabula, splendid scenic albums designed by Giovanni Tommaso Borgonio, 17th-century naturalistic atlases – unique specimens in content and quality – that belonged to Duke Charles Emmanuel I. The Theatrum Sabaudiae, published in Amsterdam in 1682, reflects the Savoy dukes’ intention to entrust to print the dissemination of the magnificence of the capital, the residences, and their territory represented in vividly colored plates.
Of exceptional value is the graphic collection of the Library, acquired by King Charles Albert in 1839, composed of drawings by great Italian and foreign masters from the 14th to the 18th century and made extraordinary by the presence of thirteen autograph sheets by Leonardo da Vinci. Since 1998, in the Leonardo Hall, created with the contribution of the Consulta for the Enhancement of Artistic and Cultural Heritage of Turin, precious bibliographic and historical-artistic material is exhibited in rotation according to a precise policy of enhancing the owned heritage.
