Pralormo castle is the unique, rare, sole example of an historical house inhabitated by the same family since 1600.

Count and Countess Beraudo di Pralormo permanently live with their sons in the castle.

Built on the summit of Pralormo hill (about 19 miles from Turin), the castle must surely have existed before the year 1200 as one of the fortified places wich abounded in the Piedmont of feudal times.

During centuries, to the original square nucleus others parts were added and among these, two round towers on the east wing and the chapel in the 18th century.

The present layout dates back to the first half of 19th century. It stands as witness to the important work carried out by Count Carlo Beraudo di Pralormo - Minister of Finance and Interior during the reign of King Carlo Alberto di Savoia.

The inner courtyard of the castle was given a roof and transformed into a great new-classical hall, on the design of architect Mellano; the portico with an overhanging terrace and the large marble staircase of the main entrance were added by filling up the surrounding moat and closing up the draw-bridge entrance.

Beside the grand hall already mentionned, the castle's attractions include an extremely well-stocked library and a hall entirely floored with 18th century blue Piedmontese majolica.

The furnishing date back to different periods and offer significant examples of the most important styles.

In the XIX century a romantic english style park with forrest trees was laid out by famous landscape architect Xavier Kurten.

CULTURAL ENTERPRISES AT PRALORMO
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Pralormo castle originating from XIII° century, is an imposing fort-like brick construction situated in the province of Turin.

The farmbuildings, stables, barnes and Orangery, which where built in 1875 also in brick, are situated in the surrounding park.
The owners, the Count and the Countess Beraudo di Pralormo, who reside permanently at the castle, are totally dedicated to its upkeep and in 1985 the Orangery was completly restored, respecting the original construction and recupereting the original materials, such as the terracotta floors which were simply scrubbed and waxed.

This renovation has allowed the use of the Orangery and its gardens for public exhibitions, locations and lessons organized along with the University of Turin, i.e.:

in 1997 historical gardens and "cotto" brickwork restoration courses were organized.

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