The aristocratic Castle of Racconigi, a former summer residence of Italys royal family, has been nominated the Most Beautiful Garden in Italy in this years edition of the Briggs & Stratton competition.

The Castle, situated a few kilometers from Turin, has undergone a vast restoration process since it was purchased by the Italian state in 1980. It originally belonged to Carlo Alberto di Savoia- Carignano, King of Italy between 1831 and 1849. Carlo Alberto hired the German gardener Xavier Kurten to lay out the English-style park, typical of the fashion of the XIX century, with meadows and woods, meandering paths, lake and island, bridges, grottoes and romantic ruined temples. The garden has now been restored to its original aspect. The Castle is also celebrated as the venue of the wedding  in 1925 between the German prince Philip of Assia and Princess Mafalda di Savoia, who ended her life tragically in a Nazi prison of war camp.

The prize winning ceremony for the Most Beautiful Garden in Italy will be held at the end of September in the Royal Conservatory.

For information: www.ilparcopiubello.it