7. Turin is the capital city of Piedmont and one of the least known Italian cities. When you say Turin, people think of an industrial, grey, smoggy, uninteresting town. One thinks of FIAT or Juventus, but Turin is also the capital of Baroque; there are about 50 museums, among which the Egyptian Museum - the second in the world - the Automobile Museum, the Cinema Museum in the Mole Antonelliana and, last but not least, the Holy Shroud. The Royal Palaces (10 in the city, 4 nearby) have been included by UNESCO in the world heritage list . TURIN The city was founded by the Romans (Augusta Taurinorum) and developed following the plan of the original Roman camp with perpendicular streets. Turin is the first example of urbanism in the world.
8. Porte Palatine, the ancient Roman gates of Augusta Taurinorum
9. With 18 km of arcades, with shops and historical "caffè", one can visit the city, or simply wander around without fear of the sun or of the rain. Take the time to stop at one of the historic coffee shops to drink a Vermouth (did you know that it is made in Turin ?) and eat a "panino".
10. The river Po, the hills, the Gran Madre and Monte dei Cappuccini, seat of the Mountains Museum
11. Turin by night and the mole Antonelliana, symbol of the city and seat of the Cinema Museum
12. The Savoys ruled over Piedmont for about nine hundred years. In 1861 Vittorio Emanuele II became the first king of Italy and Turin was the first Italian capital. The Savoy residences, built in Turin and in the surrounding area to become a ‘Crown of Delights’, are now a national heritage. Vittorio Emanuele II
13. In 1997 UNESCO listed the Savoys' Residences and Collections as a World Heritage Site in recognition of their exceptional artistic and cultural value
14. Begun in 1646 by the royal lady Cristina of France, Palazzo Reale was the sumptuous official residence of the dukes, and later, of the House of Savoy for over two centuries. The Royal Palace
16. Located in the middle of Piazza Castello, this splendid museum-residence represents the history of Turin across two millenniums. It has an impressive façade, a beautiful atrium and monumental staircase. It was designed by Filippo Juvarra in 1721. Madama Palace
18. This beautiful palace, birthplace of Carlo Alberto and Vittorio Emanuele II , was built between 1679-84. In 1848, the central, elliptical-shaped hall, once used for ceremonies, was transformed into the first Piedmontese Parliament. Carignano Palace
20. Immersed in the city’s largest park, facing the River Po, this beautiful 17 th century residence in the typical French style was designed for the Royal Lady Cristina of France. This was her favourite residence and she used it to organize jousts, tournaments, celebrations and river games. Valentino Castle
23. The Basilica of Superga stands on top of a hill in a strategic position. It was built by Vittorio Amedeo II as a vow after the siege of Turin in 1706 and was built between 1717-1731 to a design by the great architect Filippo Juvarra. The Basilica of Superga
32. The Castle of Venaria has a history made up of splendour, misfortune, plunder and renaissance. Duke Carlo Emanuele II had the idea of the royal palace. In 1658 he appointed architect Amedeo di Castellamonte to express the best of his fantasy. The French king Louis XIV saw the drawings of Venaria Reale and wanted something even bigger. The Savoy complex came therefore chronologically before Versailles, which was built a year later, in 1661. The Castle of Venaria