Parco Regionale La Mandria

La Mandria natural Park is an extraordinary blend of nature and history. The park is the largest patch of primeval forest in the Po Valley, a treasure trove of biodiversity: many endangered and specially protected species find here their habitat.
The history of La Mandria is closely linked to the House of Savoy: in the mid-seventeenth century, at the behest of Carlo Emanuele II, a sumptuous Palace of Pleasure was erected, which would later become the Royal Palace complex of Venaria.
In the eighteenth century Vittorio Amedeo II installed here a herd of horses for the royal stables, giving to the territory the final name of La Mandria (The Herd). Who felt truly in love with the estate and chose it among his favorite residences was Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of Italy. La Mandria castle took its present shape with the Apartments for the king and Rosa Vercellana. He also built Victoria and Rubbianetta farms and the surrounding wall, almost 30 km. La Mandria became one of the largest walled park in Europe. The King also ordered two hunting lodges, the most charming is Castello dei Laghi.