The Old Italian Royal House is the House of SAVOY, a dynasty that ruled over the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 to 1946. The House of SAVOY was founded in 1003 and was one of the oldest royal houses in Europe. It was originally based in the SAVOY region of what is now France, but later moved to the Kingdom of Italy. The House of SAVOY was the ruling family of Italy until the end of World War II, when the monarchy was abolished and the Italian Republic was established.