Turin
The Capital of the Alps
General Information
Other Name: Automobile Capital, District: NA, State: Piedmont, Italy
Area: 130.17 km²
Languages Spoken: Italian
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: Turin is well known as the home of the Shroud of Turin, the football teams Juventus F.C. and Torino F.C., the headquarters of automobile manufacturers Fiat and Lancia, and host of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Best Time to Visit: December to April and -
International Access: -Description
Turin, Italy lies in the Piedmont region and is the capital city of Piedmont. Turin, Italy is situated on the banks of Po River. It is ranked third, after Rome and Milan, for economical strength.Turin owns a huge heritage represented by cultural institutions that operate in the most diverse fields of knowledge and are united by a great dynamism. Home of a renowned university, especially famous for its studies in history, economics and sciences, and its world class School of Engeenering at the Polytechnic, Turin also houses a number of cultural institutions of international repute thanks to their splendid libraries, collections of rare and ancient books and priceless documents, as well as the organisation of numerous prestigious activities.The best known building of the city is the Mole Antonelliana, whose construction began in 1863 and which today houses the National Cinema Museum.The Palatine Towers are among the best preserved Roman remains in northern Italy.The Museo Egizio has the most important collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world after the Cairo Museum.Location
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Continental climate
Turin''s Royal Armoury contains what is reputed to be one of the best and most complete collections of arms and armour in the whole of Europe. The collection was put together in 1833 by Charles Albert, King of Sardinia. It comprises weapons and armour which dates back to the 16th century.
The Palazzo dell''Accademia delle Scienze in Turin houses the Egyptian Museum, one of the finest collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world, with numerous statues of pharaohs of the New Kingdom, including Rameses II, papyruses and two tomb chambers from Thebes.
This is one of the highest works of masonry in Europe, standing at 167.5 metres. It was planned by Alessandro Antonelli as a synagogue in the second half of the 19th century. The square-based construction presents its facade towards Via Montebello, and the quadrangular dome is mounted by a little temple with two columns which hold up the spire. This spire was rebuilt in 1953 after its collapse during a violent storm, and it was remodeled in metal overlaid with stone. There is an old Turin legend regarding universities and the Mole-- if a student climbs the Mole during his studies, he will never graduate.
Palazzo Cavour was once the home of the great Italian statesman and a key player in building the Italian nation, Count Cavour. The Baroque-styled palace must have witnessed a great deal during its time, particularly as the seat of the newspaper, ''Il Risorgimento'' and as a meeting place for Turin''s great and good. Recently renovated, its grandeur is still put to good use as an upmarket space for temporary attractions and popular exhibitions.
Turin''s Palazzo Reale epitomizes the grandeur of the city''s royal history. Built for King Carlo Emanuel II, it served as a royal residence until 1865. Expect to see some lavish interior decoration and period attractions, together with all the fittings of royalty, including a Throne Room and Dining Room.
This magnificent mixture of medieval and Baroque started out life as the Porta Praetoria, the gates of a Roman settlement founded in 28 BC. The gate''s remains were transformed into a medieval castle during the 13th century. It wasn''t until the 15th century, however, that a Turin nobleman turned it from castle-fortress to royal palace. The ''Madama'' in question is Maria Cristina of France and then Maria Giovanni Battista of Savoie Nemours. Tourists will find that the most notable attractions of the Palazzo Madama include its Baroque facade and grand sweeping staircase. Throughout its history, the palace has had many uses. Today, it serves as the home to Turin''s Museo Civico d''Arte Antica.
Built to house a statue of the Madonna, this church''s beautiful pink-and-white facade is matched by an equally elaborate interior. The Santuario della Consolata church itself features lots of marble, silver and gold, together with wood carvings, paintings and religious attractions. The church is still home to several statues, including one of Queen Maria Theresia.
Built on top of a hill on the very edge of Turin, Superga Cathedral is the final resting place for many members of the House of Savoy.Superga Cathedral is better known to locals as the Basilica di Superga.