Turin, the Lady. A bit austere and slightly enjoyable, reactionary and reformist, it seems a paradox but this city, refined and elegant as few, contains a thousand facets and
surprising hidden aspects that enhance its mysterious and detached charm.
A variegated melting pot, Turin today is a contemporary city that has its roots in a noble past still imposing thanks to its urban aspect where its famous squares and superb
arcades, are the emblem.
San Carlo square
To discover Turin we start from here, starting with the square that is identified as the living room of Turin: Piazza San Carlo, a show of greatness, beauty
and elegance that since 1618 is dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo.
In the centre of the square stands the statue of Emanuele Filiberto and on the sides are the two twin baroque churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo.
Here even today the Turinese meet in the shadow of the ancient arcades in the historic cafes that have animated the life of the city since the 1800s between cultural, civic
and lounge discussions.
Near the square, you will find the Egyptian Museum, one of the most famous heritage sites in the city and, importantly, the second museum of Egyptian antiquities
after that of Cairo. We strongly advise you not to miss this incredible experience!
Not far away is Piazza Carignano with its imposing palace, the first parliament of the Kingdom of Italy and today, on the main floor, home to the national
museum of Italian Risorgimento.
Not far from the eighteenth-century Teatro Carignano, the oldest in the city and certainly among the most prestigious in Italy.
Castello square
Continue along Via Roma, the main street for shopping and luxury and you will arrive at Piazza Castello: you are in the aristocratic and historical
heart of the city.
The grandeur of the square and its luxurious arcades will immerse you in the most typical atmosphere of Turin.
Elegant historic bars, refined signs and luxurious shops frame the Royal Palace, which has been a Savoy residence for over three centuries.
The Palace is a triumph of splendour and wealth that will dazzle you with golden stuccos, majestic furnishings and huge and finely frescoed halls: from the throne room to the
ballroom, without missing the Staircase of the Scissors.
After the visit, the magnificence of the Royal Gardens awaits you, recently reopened to the public. Next to the Palace stands the Royal Church of
San Lorenzo, with its beautiful Baroque façade.
Also in the square, you can visit the Teatro Regio, one of the most important iconic places in Europe for opera and ballet, now reborn after a fire, and discover the imposing
Palazzo Madama, a majestic museum among the most famous and important in Italy with an extraordinary collection of ancient works of art ranging from sculpture to the
collection of porcelain among the most important in the world.
You are in the chic area of Turin, in what is identified as the quadrilateral of fashion and nightlife in Turin: so treat yourself to a stop for shopping and a
fashionable aperitif.
The Duomo and the Mole Antonelliana
Staying close you will have the opportunity to visit the Duomo, the Cathedral of St. Giovanni the Baptist. The building, the only one in the city in Renaissance
style, has an elegant white façade and a 60-metre-high bell tower.
Inside, in addition to numerous paintings of great value, you will find the most important and famous relic in the world, the Holy Shroud, which is a linen cloth
with the human effigy of a man attributable to Christ deposed by the Cross.
Also in the centre is the Mole Antonelliana, another iconic Turin landmark that was once also the highest building in Italy.
La Mole, which owes its name to the architect who built it, offers a spectacular panorama of the city and the surrounding mountains and is currently home to the National
Cinema Museum. This attraction is absolutely recommended for all those who want to know the history, customs and evolution of modern society through the story of the
seventh art.
Piazza Statuto
The last square we suggest is Piazza Statuto, full of charm for the most esoteric aspects of the city. Formerly the seat of the Roman camps, where death sentences
were carried out, the square has the reputation of being the nerve centre of black magic where Turin emerges as the capital.
Not far away you will find an example of Baroque among the most exemplary in the city: the Sanctuary of the Consolata, crossed the threshold, placed on an elegant
white façade, the church will dazzle you with the richness of sacred furnishings, ancient stucco and beautiful polychrome marbles.
Other destinations
Turin is a city with a thousand cultural attractions. We also suggest the OMA, the Oriental Art Museum, which presents a vast collection of Asian works, and the
Gallery of Modern Art with 45,000 works on display.
It is also almost necessary to point out one of the largest and most beautiful city parks in Italy, the Valentino Park, an extraordinary green lung crossed by the Po river and a
favourite Sunday destination for many people from Turin for lunch outdoors along its banks.
Onboard one of the rented cars picked up in one of our Turin agencies you will have no difficulty in carving out an itinerary tailored to your preferences.
Markets in the city
We close this review with a special treat typical of the place: the markets of the city. In Turin, you can find countless objects and vintage clothing from true admirers.
Let's start with the Porta Palazzo market, famous for all the fruit and vegetables and food and wine delicacies. We continue with the Balon for fans
of haggling and authentic vintage art and the Piazza Benefica Market offers labels and signatures of luxury in the open air. We also mention the Santa Rita market,
a real mix of vegetables, fresh food, clothing and various items, and also the Crocetta market, the paradise of Turin clothing with many stalls dedicated to cashmere
and fine wool.