Casa Riva originally served a purely defensive purpose as part of the early fortifications of Avigliana, connected through a cellar to a tunnel that still today leads to the main square and possibly to the Castle. The structure consisted of separate buildings surrounding a tower that was part of the city walls.
The history of Casa Riva
When the Duke of Savoy Victor Amadeus I decided to expand the fortifications, these buildings were converted into residences and connected to each other. The Duke donated what is now Casa Riva to Francesco Faccio (Fanciscus Facius), his Militia Commander, who was also his Game Keeper and held an important position within the Court. Faccio restored the building, making it more habitable, and as a sign of gratitude to his lord and master, he had a grand fireplace constructed in the Hall of Honor by the Luganese Gesso Masters who were also working during that period at Valentino Castle for Cristina of France. It featured the Duke’s coat of arms at the front and a cartouche with the presumed family crest of the Faccio family at the opposite end.
Upon his death, the property passed by inheritance to his nephew, the confessor of Madama Reale Christina of France who, with her, helped found the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. After the prelate’s death, the house was bequeathed to the congregation, which maintained usufruct rights over the ground floor rooms until 1976. In the early 1920s, the Riva sisters redeemed this usufruct and purchased the property. The Riva family’s descendants continue to own it today.
The terraced garden was also built on the remains of retaining walls and medieval houses destroyed by raids, and even today, fragments of these demolitions can be seen within the terrace walls. It provides stunning views of Avigliana, from the majestic castle to Lago Grande and the Convent of San Tommaso.
Facilities and services at Casa Riva
Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the Ground Floor, the gardens and the apartments on the First Floor, including sunset aperitifs and lunches.
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