Step into Piedmont's past at the Palazzo Madama, the grand edifice that houses the city of Turin's Civic Museum of Ancient Art. Admire paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the Middle Ages through to the 18th century, all displayed against a breathtaking architectural backdrop.

Make your way to the Piazza Castello and take in the embellished facade of the Palazzo Madama, which features 18th-century Baroque stylings in the front and the remains of the original 15th-century fortress in the back. Walk up the monumental staircase in the entrance, and then roam the various galleries and halls to study works of art and fine household items from centuries past.

Consider the religious iconography of altarpieces, paintings, drawings, and sculptures by artists like Antonella da Messina, Jacopo Cietario, and the architect Filippo Juvarra, and see fine furniture, fabrics, and silverware used by wealthy members of Renaissance Italian society. Take some time to check out the building's interesting architecture as you travel from the ancient Roman foundations up to the lavish Baroque rooms of later centuries, and don't miss the stunning panorama from the observation tower.