2 luglio 2023
Loft in a magnificent frescoed dome from 1710. The apartment is the result of a restoration that has restored the octagonal hall of 60 square meters to its splendor. You will stay under the gaze of the God Apollo, his Muses and curious cherubs. In the one environment a comfortable sofa, a dining table, a bed with a wardrobe to breathe the air of the past. Imagine the story that these walls have seen in the past. Complete a kitchen, a bathroom recovered under the arched brick vaults. The building is known as Palazzo Rubatti di Torricella or Palazzo Tornaforte. Built in the mid-seventeenth century, the architect of the work is Francesco Gallo, author of over 80 buildings in southern Piedmont including the Sanctuary of Vicoforte "Magnificat". The original owners, the Rubatti, are an ancient decurional family of the Cuneo stalls, present in the list of 1535 with a noble chapel in San Francesco. The Count Carlo Massimiliano and his wife, the noble Violante Maria De Morri, daughter of the Counts De Morri of Castelmagno, live here. Subsequently the noble Barbara Violante Rubatti and her husband Marquis Della Valle Di Clavesana. And finally (just to name a few) the noble Paola Felicita Della Valle and her husband, the famous Count Saverio Bruno di Tornaforte, a heroic militia general. Here in 1809 Pope Pius VII visited the old Count of Tornefort during his journey, prisoner of Napoleon. In short, this show has seen 350 years of history, illustrious characters and magnificent parties. It is precisely the concert of the Muses, a theme chosen by the Rubatti to decorate the vault of the hall of honor, to suggest its use. In 1710 the Swiss painter Giovan Francesco Gaggini, who was working at the Church of the Holy Cross in Cuneo together with the Pozzi brothers, authors of the paintings, was called to perform the work. Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Tersicore, Erato, Polimnia, Urania and Calliope, accompanied by a correspondence of putti, observe the God Apollo, isolated in the center of the composition, wrapped in a large drapery, crowned with laurel, while with one hand greets and with the other holds the lyre. The scene announces the beginning of an imminent concert: the muses and the putti are ready to play and sing, the instruments tuned, the scores open, while Apollo, conductor of the orchestra, with the gesture of the arm will give the start. The scene is set in the sky, between vaporous white-blue-yellowish-pink clouds. A rich shaped balustrade surrounds the opening towards the sky, highlighting the illusory breaking of the ceiling, while the scenographic painted architectural structure continues below with ample volutes, fake marbles and oval windows, vases full of fruits, garlands, festoons and branches foliaceous. In the living room you can see an original painting restored (oil on canvas) of the heraldic coat of arms of the Rubatti-De Morri alliance. The occasion is precisely the marriage that was celebrated in the Parish Church of Santa Maria del Bosco, Cathedral of Cuneo, on 3 February 1694, with the motto Tas Stil. The saloon was recovered and brought as much as possible to the original of the time. In the center, a fifth contains a walk-in closet and shelters the double bed. A sofa bed, a glass table with chairs and an open bookcase complete the deliberately minimalist furniture. In other spaces you will find a fully equipped kitchen with fridge, induction hob, dishwasher, "Nespresso" coffee machine. In a small storage room also a comfortable washing machine. Bathroom with shower, toilet and comfortable vertical heated towel rail. La Cupola is located on the third floor of the building, without a lift. The stairs are very large and accessible.