Parco Boschetto Nichelino

The slow decline of the residence began in 1640 when it was bombed by the French army during the war of succession known as the Two Brothers-in-law war. In the following period the Savoia court gradually lost interest in the Mirafiori estate, starting the construction of new and more sumptuous residences, such as the Reggia di Venaria and the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi. Now in decline, in 1741 the residence was adapted to manufacture tobacco and, finally, in 1753 King Charles Emmanuel III sold it to the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. After various changes of ownership, in 1866 the estate was sold to Rosa Vercellana, the future morganatic wife of Vittorio Emanuele II, who, from this moment, acquired the title of Countess of Mirafiori and Fontanafredda. The castle, now in very poor condition due to frequent flooding of the Sangone, is completely demolished at the end of the century.