House of Savoy, historic dynasty of Europe, the ruling house of Italy from 1861 to 1946.
Origins
Originating in the western Alps, where France, Italy, and Switzerland converge today, the family expanded its territory throughout the Middle Ages.
From 1720, the kingdom of the house of Savoy was centered on Piedmont and Sardinia.
Italy unification
Having contributed to the movement for Italian unification (Risorgimento, the family became the ruling house of Italy in the mid-19th century and remained so until overthrown with the establishment of the Italian Republic in 1946.