The Royal Palace of Turin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a historic palace in Northern Italy that was once the residence of the House of Savoy. Originally built in the 16th century, it was modernized in the 17th century by Christine Marie of France with designs by Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra. The palace complex includes the Palazzo Chiablese and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, which was built to house the famous Shroud of Turin. The palace was constructed on the site of the previous Bishop's Palace and was greatly expanded to house a vast collection of art, animals, marbles, and furniture. It has seen the reign of many Dukes of Savoy and has been the birthplace of several royal figures. The palace was turned into a museum in 1946 and houses an extensive array of arms, rich tapestries, and a collection of Chinese and Japanese vases. The palace also features the Scala delle Forbici, a staircase by Filippo Juvarra, and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud with its spiral dome. The royal gates of the palace are embossed with a golden Medusa symbol, a testament to its historic grandeur.