turin visits

8/18/2019 Turin Visits

1/14

Turin Travel Guide

Once seen as little more than an industrial city, Turin is now undergoing extensiveurban regeneration, which was further helped by the surge in tourist numbers broughtabout by its hosting of the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Situated on the mighty River Po in the far northwest of Italy, and surrounded bystunning alpine scenery, Turin offers visitors a feast of baroque architecture, ornate artnouveau cafés and museum collections covering everything from Egyptology tocontemporary art.

The symbol of Turin is the Mole Antonelliana, an eye-catching dome, while its mostfamous relic is the Holy Shroud, thought by some to be the cloth that wrapped Christ's

body after the crucifixion. It still attracts thousands of pilgrims.

Other visitors come to shop under the city's elegant porticoes, or try some of the localgastronomic specialities such as Lavazza coffee, Gianduja (hazelnut chocolate) andVermouth.


2/14

Half-day tour discovering Turin

The tour leaves from Piazza Castello (Castle Square), heart of the city, and includes

a stop at Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace), the baroque Palace of the House of Savoy, and

at the Church of San Lorenzo, seventeenth- century masterpiece of the architect

Guarino Guarini of Modena . In the latter, there is a photographic copy of the Holy

Shroud, the most controversial and mysterious icon of the Christian world. Of great

importance is Palazzo Madama ( MadamaPalace ) with its grand staircase designed by

the architect Juvarra. This palace defines the history of the city: from Roman gate,

toMedieval Castle , to Residence of Christine of France and of Marie Jean Baptiste of

Savoy Nemours, and in the end the first seat of the Italian Senate in 1861.

The tour continues to the Roman Theatre, the Porta Palatina(Palatina

Gate), the Duomo di San Giovanni Battista (Cathedral of Saint Joan the Baptist,

the only example of Renaissance art in Turin), and the Chapel of the Holy

Shroud (currently being restored, after the fire of 1997).

On to Via Roma with its baroque Piazza San Carlo (San Carlo Square), masterpiece

of Carlo and Amedeo di Castellamonte, at the center of which rises “L Caval ‘d Brons”,

monument of Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, the duke who made Turin the capital of the

Duchy.

After a stop in one of the historic cafés of the square, we proceed to Piazza

Carignano (Carignano Square), to admire the Palazzo Carignano of Guarino Guarini,

where the first king of Italy was born and where the first Italian Parliament was seated .

We then reach Via Po via the nineteenth-century Galleria Subalpina


3/14

dell’Industria of Carrera. After a few more blocks, we arrive at the Mole Antonelliana,

symbol of the city, designed to be a synagogue and now site of the Cinema Museum.

Our last stop is in Piazza Vittorio Veneto (Vittorio Veneto Square), with its view of

the hills of Turin and of its two churches: Gran Madre di Dio and Santa Maria del

Monte dei Cappuccini.

Full-day tour discovering Turin

The tour comprises all of the above, which is followed by lunch in a typical

restaurant.

The afternoon is dedicated to visiting the Parco del Valentino (Valentino Park ), the

oldest in the city, and its neo-Medieval villageand castle, built for the international

expo 1884. Close to the castle is La Fontana dei 12 Mesi of Ceppi (Fountain

representing the 12 months), an example of art nouveau architecture.

You have the opportunity then to take pictures at the Castello del

Valentino (Valentino Castle), residence of Christine of France, and now site of the

University’s School of Architecture .

Our final stop is in the hills overlooking Turin to visit the Basilica of Superga where


4/14

many members of the House of Savoy are buried

Turin Art Nouveau: a tour starting from Villa Scott and on through the area called

Cit Turin visits many examples of art nouveau architecture.

Turin and Contemporary Art and Architecture: a tour starting from the Fiat

Mirafiori factory and ending in one of Turin ’s famed art museums, such as the GAM

( Modern Art Gallery ), with stops at varied other examples of contemporary works of

art.

Turin and its Historic Cafés: a taste tour visiting various historic cafés in the city

which literally invented the cocktail hour and the gianduiotto (chocolate). You might, for

example, try vermouth, which was first produced here.

Olympics Turin : a tour by bus and on foot visiting some sites of the 2006 Winter

Olympics: Olympic Arch, Stadium, Expo Center and more.

Palazzo Reale ( Royal Palace ): this palace is the main and most important among

all the royal residences. The tour brings you to both the public and private furnished

apartments of the members of the Savoy family.


5/14

Reggia di Venaria (Hunting Palace of Venaria) and its gardens. Here you can see a

total of about 35 rooms dating from the seventeenth to the eighteenth- centuries. These

include the Galleria Grande and the Church of San Uberto , designed by Filippo

Juvarra. The palace is a museum of the history of the Savoy dynasty. The gardens are

worth the trip!

Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi (Hunting Palace of Stupinigi) . Eighteenth-

century hunting residence designed by Juvarra, currently closed for restoration.

Castello di Racconigi (Racconigi Palace). This residence, belonging to the

Carignano branch of the Savoy family, contains all of the original furnishings, paintings

and other varied objects. The tour starts in the nineteenth-century kitchens and

proceeds to the apartments of the nursemaids, the princes and the first floor. On thesecond floor are the private apartments.

The grounds can also be visited.

Castello di Rivoli (Rivoli Palace). This royal residence, commissioned by Vittorio

Amedeo II, was rebuilt in the eighteenth-century , and is now a museum ofcontemporary art.

Castello di Agliè (Agliè Palace). This palace belonged to the noble family of San

Martino and became the property of the Savoysin 1764. It was recently used as a set for

an Italian television series.

Sacra di San Michele (St. Michael’s Abbey). This massive structure is the official


6/14

symbol of the Region of Piemonte (Piedmont). Located on Mount Pirchiriano, and dating

back to the tenth century, it is a mix of both Romanesque and Gothic

architectures. Three of its masterpieces are the Gate of the Zodiac, the Staircase of the

Dead and the interior Church. A breathtaking view of the Susa Valley can be admired

from its panoramic terrace.

Avigliana. This medieval town is on the road that leads to the Sacra di San

Michele. It is famous for many original structures, among which are churches, towers,

gates and the ruins of the Castleof Count Rosso. It is also known for its two lakes of

morenic origin.

Precettoria of Sant’Antonio di Ranversa. In the same vicinity is this

church/abbey which has its origins in the 12th century. Its Gothic façade dates back to

renewals of the 14th and 15thcenturies. Notable are the original frescoes attributed to

Giacomo Jaquerio and a polyptych (multi-panel painting) of Defendente Ferrari from

1531.

Excursions in the Langhe region, with visits to the city of Alba and tastings

of Barolo wine in the towns of La Morra , Alba and Barolo.Purchases may be made.

A visit to the Castle of Grinzane Cavour , with wine-tastings and a tour of the

Langhe.

A visit to the Banca del Vino (Wine Bank) of Pollenzo, with wine-tastings and a

tour of the Langhe.


7/14

Tastings of Fritto Misto alla Piemontese (variety of foods Piedmont-style) in typical

locales in the hills of Turin , followed by a visit to the city of Chieri and its Cathedral.

Tastings of homemade chocolate at selected artisans’ points of production.


8/14

DAY ONE, TURIN ITINERARY – PIAZZA CASTELLO, PALAZZO MADAMA

Within the great region of Piedmont rests the fourth largest City in Italy, Turin. The rich

past of this old City has resulted in the world-class museums, historic cafés and elegant

squares. The beautiful City is lined with cobblestone streets, creating a magical, surreal

atmosphere. Some of the great benefits to Turin are that it’s relatively inexpensive, green

in atmosphere, easy to get around and refreshingly free of crowds. Turin is known for

truly giving a taste of the Italian culture without the well-known, (and even over

populated), tourists centers.

Piazza Castello is the central square of Turin that embodies a wealth of museums,

theaters and café’s. This grand piazza was originally constructed for the 14th Century

dynastic power, House of Savory. This piazza is surrounded by medieval and baroque

castle, Palazzo Madama. This grand castle was built in the 13th Century on the site of

the old Roman gate. This grand castle was built and named after Madama Reale Marie

Cristina who was the widow of Vittorio Amedeo I. Currently, part of this palace is

occupied by the Museo Civico d’Arte Antica. This incredible collection of art workdemonstrates the city’s history, particularly post-Italian unification.

DAY TWO, TURIN ITINERARY – CHIESA DI SAN LORENZO, PALAZZO REALE,

DUOMO DI SAN GIOVANNI & MUESO NAZIONALE

Chiesa di San Lorenzo is the baroque located in the Northwestern corner of the central

square. This baroque was designed by Guarino Guarini. This grand church exhibits

rich, impressive and complex interior, which showcases yet another historic aspect to

this old square.

Upon the entrance to another corner of the square are the statues of the mythical twins,

Castor and Pollux that guard the Palazzo Reale. Inside this grand house are decadent

rooms housing old furnishings, porcelain and other antique and unique knick-knacks.

This house and special rooms were originally built for Carol Emanuelle II around 1646.


9/14

The area surrounding this grand palace is the Giardino Reale, east of the property.

Andre le Notre designed this incredible room, in 1697. He also created the gardens at

Versailles. The Armeria Reale rests in that area as well.

The Duomo Di San Giovanni is Turin’s great Cathedral, which was built between 1491

and 1498 on the grand and spectacular site of three 14th Century Basilicas. This is also

the home of the famous Shroud of Turin. A copy of the cloth is on display in front of thealter in the Cathedral. Apart of this grand Cathedral is the bell tower, which stands

alone off to the west side of the structure. This was designed and built in 1723. Within

the same square lies the Roman amphitheater and the Porta Palatina, both of which are

of great value and a spectacular sight to see. This Cathedral is truly one of the great

sights of Turin.

Museo Nazionale Del Risorgimento Italiano, the museum and parliament house

representing the birthplace of Carol Alberto and Vittorio Emanuele II, is the first

parliament that united Italy from 1861 to 1864. The Palazzo Carignano was the actual

birthplace however. There’s a great deal of historical grandeur in this museum and

parliament house.

DAY THREE, TURIN ITINERARY – PALAZZO DELL’ACADEMIA & GALLERIA

SABAUDA

Palazzo Dell’ Academia delle Scienze is quite large in size and houses two grand and

outstanding museums: Museo Egizio and Galleria Sabauda. The 18th Century museums

hold some of Europe’s most important ancient and Egyptian treasures and artifacts. The

Galleria Sabauda contains the Savory family’s valuable and incredible art collection. It’s

quite the sight to see and experience, as the grand texture and excellent structure

demand respect.

The great City of Turin offers such wide variety of museums, cathedrals and


10/14

contemporary art, along with incredible landscape and rolling hills. As stated

previous, the beauty and picturesque setting of this great City is often compared

to Italy’s Tuscany. It holds great beauty and a slower pace of lifestyle, while being

able to truly enjoy the history and art this old City has to offer . The multi-faceted

option for this incredible City varies from the historic museums and cathedrals to

the great private vineyards and unique countryside. The Piedmont people,

specifically of Turin, will give you an authentic experience of Italy’s culture and

true way of life. The activities are endless for anyone to enjoy. Whether it be a

wine tasting at a vineyard or horseback riding through the hills, the taste of Turin

is quite diverse and full of endless options. The pleasures of this place and people

remain simple, yet rare. It’s truly like a Haven for relaxation, reflection and a

peaceful walk and experience through one of the oldest Cities in Italy. The

abundance of life and treasures found in this City is something you won’t want to

miss!


11/14

Resting in regal charm on the picturesque River Po in sight of the Italian Alps, Turin’scertainly easy on the eye. Stroll grand promenades (preferably in summer, when itsnotorious weather eases up), taking in historic buildings and fine museums, or delveinto the city’s intriguing mystical legacy. Whichever Turin you discover, you’ll becaptivated.

Day 1: Museums and Palazzos

For a city with the dubious reputation of being ‘industrial’, Turin’s center positivelysparkles with architectural gems. The ornate Palazzo Reale does Lifestyles of the Rich &Famous, 17th-century style, with gardens designed by none other than André le Nôtre,creator of those at Versailles. Palazzo Madama blends Baroque and Medieval to stunningeffect, while Palazzo Bricherasio was once wrapped by artist Christo! You could spendweeks exploring Turin’s amazing museums: Museo dell’Automobile, with hundreds offamous and unique cars; Museo Egizio, one of the world’s finest collections of ancientEgyptian art; the blockbusting Museo Nazionale del Cinema, a cinephile’s dream – andso much more. Culture amateurs will wonder why they didn’t visit earlier.

Day 2: Magic and Mystery

Legend has it that Turin is divided into two distinct halves: one sacred (ruled by whitemagic influences) and the other evil (black magic). Why not decide for yourself bytouring the city’s key occult landmarks? The ancient Romans believed the site of PiazzaStatuto to be unlucky, and built a cemetery there. It’s now considered Turin’s ‘heart ofdarkness’. As you wander the streets, you’ll glimpse unnerving details on old buildings,creepy stone monsters – and that’s to say nothing of the eerie subterranean world lyingbeneath the city…At the other end of the spectrum, the Renaissance cathedral Duomodi San Giovanni houses the Holy Shroud of Turin, a replica of which is displayed infront of the altar. On the rare occasions the original cloth makes a public appearance,Catholic pilgrims from across the globe flood into town to pay tribute. Another must-seefor devotees is the Museo della Sindone, a quirky museum dedicated to all thingsShroud-related.

Day 3: Let the Good Times Barolo…

The tranquil Piedmont region around Turin is one of Italy’s best kept secrets, althoughit’s only a matter of time until the tourist hordes catch on. This is your chance to enjoyits undulating hills, historic vineyards and wine cellars, and fine dining before everyone

else. Like a tipple? Savor famous Piedmontese wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco,Barbera, Dolcetto and Arneis. More of a foodie? Piedmont’s mouthwatering fresh


12/14

produce will send you into raptures: don’t miss the village of Alba, home of the sublimewhite truffle. Indeed, after all in this indulgence, you may need to be rolled back to the

capital.

Turin: Ice Cream

Ice cream in Turin is a tradition. Summer or winter, the usual saturday walk in the

center of Turin is not complete without a nice cone of ice cream, may be enriched by

whipped cream.

Aperitif

The moment of the aperitif in Turin has been a constant ritual for over twohundred years..ever since Antonio Benedetto Carpano created Vermouth in 1786 by adding some thirtydifferent spices to wine. Since then, this special drink has been exported all over theworld and later produced by Cinzano and Martini & Rossi. It has now become, under thename “Martini”, the epitome of aperitifs, for drinking straight or as a base for manycocktails which includes – not least – James Bond's favourite of “Vodka Martini, shakennot stirred”.


13/14

Today the tradition continues and becomes more than ever a regular appointment forbest beginning the evening: you meet for a glass of wine or a cocktail in one of the

typical wine bars, an historical café or a trendy spot. In the summer, the ritual takesplace on the seats surrounding the piazzas and along pavements in the centre, or

otherwise on the banks of the River Po, between Murazzi and the river boats of ValentinoPark. There is always a plate of canapés and snacks to come with the drink, all selectedfrom Piedmont cuisine: boards of salami, cheeses and omelette pieces, tarts and pizzas,sushi and rolls, or even sufficiently large buffets to ensure that dinner is unnecessary.

Chocolate

In Turin, in the 18th century, chocolate began to be processed and solidified,creating delicious products for satisfying the Court of Savoy..

And this led to the “invention” of gianduiotti, chocolates, pralines, cakes, biscuits,“pinguino” ice-creams and hot chocolate : world famous specialities which make Turin theItalian capital of traditional chocolate. Turin's citizens have a further delight, a favouritebeverage for giving a fillip on cold days, the bicerin based on coffee, chocolate and cream.

Delicacies worth savouring, perhaps with the help of the ChocoPass book of tickets, a

unique chance for sampling the best of Turin's chocolate production. Or otherwisecomfortably seated in an historical café during the Merenda Reale: specialappointments reviving the curious customs of 18th century Court life in which thedelectable offerings from the noble art of Turin pastry making can be enjoyed


14/14

Caffè Al Bicerin. Founded 1763, Turin.

Imagine yourself in the mid-1800s…you are basking in the aromas that envelop

you… Take a seat at the very same table where Cavour sat… Order a bicerin and

savour its bittersweet flavour of chocolate, coffee and cream. This, and only this is

the bicerin, a drink that has come to represent Turin, created here, on the site

with the same name.

It’s a place where the art of tasting has made its mark in history.

Cross the threshold of the Caffè Al Bicerin and discover the warm elegant

ambience of this petite locale, exactly as it was 200 years ago. This is an

unforgettable experience and a must for all those who love the art of tasting.

Now as it was before.

turin visits

Documents