Turin (Turin, in Italian) is a city in the region of piedmont, at Italy. Despite its historical importance for the Italian unification, this city could go unnoticed by a hurried traveler, mainly because it is considered, by some, as a purely industrial city.
Those who see Turin only as an economic hub are not completely unreasonable. FIAT, one of the largest Italian companies, has its origins here (FIAT, incidentally, is an acronym for Italian Automobile Factory in Turin). In addition, the city has one of the largest engineering colleges in the country: the Politecnico di Torino. However, it cannot be said that it is just that. As recently as 2006, it hosted the Winter Olympics, which brought a series of renovations and restorations that enhanced the other sides of this metropolis, along with a substantial improvement in the city's public transport and cultural programming.
In short, Turin is amazing. It's not a classic Italian Renaissance city, but it definitely has its charm. Travelers who dock here are guaranteed a surprise, be it cultural, with the cinema museum, religious with the Holy Shroud or historic with the first royal palace in Italy.
To arrive
By airplane
O 1 (IATA: TRN - ICAO: LIMF). it is 15 km north of the city and is named after former Italian president Sandro Pertini. It is connected to the center by road and rail.
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Despite having about 900,000 inhabitants, the space that makes up Turin's main attractions is not that big, and can be explored on foot. The city's focal point is Piazza Castello, from which it's easy to find your way around. Taking Via Po, you reach the river of the same name, Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Murazzi. The cinema museum is located on a street perpendicular to Via Po, but is easily found due to its majestic column that can be seen from anywhere in the city. In the other direction, take Via Roma to reach Porta Nuova train station, passing by the Egyptian Museum. Basically all tourist attractions are within these limits.
Look
- . Be sure to enter this church, located next to the Royal Palace. An unsuspecting traveler could pass right by, but its interior architecture is worth admiring. Possibly the most beautiful in Turin, this was the first church to have windows in its dome to take advantage of sunlight. The church also has other features, look for educated guides (free of charge) when you get there.
- 1 (Duomo di San Giovanni), Piazza San Giovanni. Were it not for the object it guards, the cathedral would not have been more impressive than other churches in the city; spacious, well-decorated, high-ceilinged and brightly lit, its biggest attraction is the controversial Santo Shroud. It is not always on display (which only happens by papal decree). Information about these periods can be found on the website.
- 2 . Mon-Fri morning, Sat all day, flea market on Sun. It is said that there is no Turin who has never said "L’ho trovato a Porta Palazzo!" (found it at Porta Palazzo!) when looking for a rare item. It may be an exaggeration, but some say that this is the biggest open-air market in Europe. Shoes, shirts, lamps, vegetables and fruits: you can find everything here, at the cheapest price in town.
- . Turin was founded around 30 BC by the Roman Empire as Castra Taurinorum, a fortified garrison on the border with Gaul Cisalpina. After two millennia, some traces are still clear. The ancient walls are an example. Another is the typical orthogonal streets of Roman imperial urban planning, evident in the city's "Quadrillatero Romano" district - Via Garibaldi was originally the decumanus maximus, the main east-west street.
- 3 , Corso Unità d'Italia, 40. The automobile museum is a kind of shed with different models of cars. For the people of Turin, the museum is emblematic, as the image of Turin, for the Italians, has always been closely linked to the automobile industry. In order to portray the history of the automobile, the exhibition follows a chronological order, starting with the Ford T and ending, as it had to be, with the Italian Formula 1 Ferraris. This is perhaps the only attraction slightly out of the center. To get to the museum, take tram 16 from Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
- 4 , Via Accademia delle Scienze, 6, ☎ 39 011 561 7776. The largest Egyptian museum outside of Egypt itself is in Turin. In it you'll find a huge variety of items ranging from reproductions of Rosetta Stone fragments to entire temples. Also part of the collection are some sphinxes, similar to those of Giza, but on a smaller scale, with about 3 meters in length. Interestingly, these also have a broken nose, just like the big ones. A full and thoughtful tour should take around three to four hours. €13.
- 5 . The building that houses the cinema museum sets the scene in Turin. Called Mole Antonelliana, the building supports a sumptuous 167-metre tower. Inside, the museum portrays the history of cinema as a whole, from its birth with mere optical illusions to King Kong. For the most passionate lovers, the top floor features a collection of posters of the most outstanding films in world cinema, with a shy emphasis on Italian films.
- . Little importance is attached to this attraction, which has such historical significance: it is the first residence of a king of Italy. Its rooms are not as sumptuous as a Palace of Versailles, but neither are they lacking. The visits are necessarily guided, which allows you not only to see, but to learn. Find out about schedules.
- 6 . This square is the very center of Turin. Almost all bus and tram lines converge on this location and its immediate surroundings. Other than that, the most diverse manifestations take place there, from political protests to crowds watching rugby championships (a sport in which, incidentally, Italy leaves something to be desired). The square itself is a tourist attraction, as it contains fragments of the city's ancient Roman wall, several statues from the Egyptian museum and the façade of the Royal Palace. Other tourist attractions in the square are the Chiesa di San Lorenzo and the Armeria Reale.
Knife
Buy
With the
drink and go out
- . Considered the night center of Turin, this alley has several bars and nightclubs. Located next to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, on the bank of the Po River, the largest in Italy, it is an excellent place to enjoy the night.
- . The main attraction of this square is not the square itself. There's nothing wrong with it, it's a beautiful place, but its charm lies in the big nightlife crowd. Thus, it is considered the ideal place for an exchange of ideas and a good beer.
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Leave
- Bardonecchia - Trains to Bardonecchia leave every hour from Porta Nuova station in Turin and take just over an hour to reach their destination. This city has one of the main ski slopes built for the Olympics, but don't be intimidated, there are different levels of difficulty. Even the less sporty will appreciate the mountainous air and snow of the place, as well as the view of the beginning of the Alps.
- Aosta Valley - Aosta it is a friendly city about two hours by train from Turin. However, the most attractive part of Aosta is not in the city, it is the Gran Paradiso national park. From the bus station located next to the train station, take a bus towards the park. As much as you lose some time in the transfer, the park is worth the trip. There you will find a mixture of nature, snow, mountains and beauty that will not be easy to find again.
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