Basilica of Superga begins €7.6m restoration plan
Published on 09/27/2026 at 08:36 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
The Basilica of Superga in Turin has entered a restoration programme presented on 25 September 2026, covering the historic complex known locally as Basilica di Superga. The €7.6 million plan focuses first on the entrance portico, podium, upper courtyards and paths used by visitors.
Restoration plan begins at the Turin basilica
The programme brings together public institutions and private partners. The Ministry of Culture is providing €6 million, while the Consulta per la Valorizzazione dei Beni Artistici e Culturali di Torino is contributing €1.6 million. The plan implements an agreement signed in 2024 involving national, regional and local authorities, together with Sermig, the complex’s current custodian.
The first two lots concern the pronaos, the podium and the upper courtyards with their adjoining walkways. The Italian heritage authority, or Soprintendenza, will act as contracting authority, while the Consulta will oversee design and construction management. The first lot will also serve as a pilot site for later work, with the overall programme looking towards 2030. The restoration plan presented on 25 September also includes work on weathered Gassino marble and the removal of unsuitable pointing.
Basilica of Superga’s entrance is central to the work
The work is closely tied to the way visitors approach the monument. The pronaos is the columned portico before the main entrance, while the podium supports that entrance and forms part of the elevated forecourt. The upper courtyards and their paths are therefore not distant architectural details but areas that connect the arrival route with the church.
Construction began in 1717 under Filippo Juvarra and the sanctuary was inaugurated in 1731. The church is dedicated to the Nativity of Mary and contains the tombs of the House of Savoy. Its circular structure is topped by a 75-metre dome, while two 60-metre bell towers flank the facade. The official history of the complex identifies Sermig as custodian since 2021.
A separate access project is also under way on the northern side. The lift platform, supported by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, is intended to help people with reduced mobility reach the interior of the church. Together, the platform and the restoration of the approach areas link conservation with practical access at the hilltop site.
What the 2026 plan means for access
The restoration announcement does not state that the basilica is closed. It identifies the forecourt, podium and upper paths as work areas, so access arrangements may depend on the progress of individual lots when construction begins. The programme is a long-term intervention rather than a single reopening date.
Visiting Basilica of Superga: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The current news peg is the restoration programme presented on 25 September 2026 at the Basilica of Superga in Turin.
- The announced work concerns the pronaos, podium, upper courtyards and adjoining paths; the source does not announce a general closure of the church.
- The basilica stands on Superga hill above Turin. The Sassi-Superga rack tramway connects the site with Sassi station, while the Superga Express links Piazza Vittorio Veneto with the basilica on Sundays and public holidays.
- Visitors encounter a hilltop complex with a raised entrance, stairways, upper courtyards and paths. The planned northern lift platform is intended to improve access to the church for people with reduced mobility.
- Italy’s official language is Italian and its national currency is the euro.
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Frequently asked questions about Basilica of Superga
What has changed at Basilica of Superga?
A €7.6 million restoration programme was presented on 25 September 2026. It covers the pronaos, podium, upper courtyards and adjoining paths.
Where is Basilica of Superga and how do you get there?
The basilica is on Superga hill above Turin. Visitors can use the Sassi-Superga rack tramway from Sassi station or the Superga Express from Piazza Vittorio Veneto on Sundays and public holidays.
What is Basilica of Superga?
It is a basilica designed by Filippo Juvarra and built between 1717 and 1731. The church contains the tombs of the House of Savoy and is dedicated to the Nativity of Mary.
