Summer’s just around the corner, and there’s a growing desire to spend a couple of carefree days exploring new destinations. In this article we’ll take you on a tour of Turin, the capital of Piedmont and one of the most symbolic places in Italian history.
With the days getting longer and the weather warming up, we feel a growing need to explore new places. Our beloved Italy offers unique cities of inestimable artistic and historical value that are envied and admired all over the world.
Turin, an emblem of Art Nouveau style, is the ideal city to explore all year round, but especially on beautiful spring days. This, then, is a city with two thousand years of history, since its foundation dates back to the third century BC; and it has played a crucial role in Italian history.
Originally, during the Roman era, it was known as Iulia Augusta Taurinorum. It was later conquered by the Ostrogoths, becoming the capital of a Lombard and Carolingian duchy.
In the 11th century, Turin was ruled by the Savoy dynasty and later had the honor of being named capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia and, from 1861 to 1865, the Kingdom of Italy. With the Unification of Italy in 1861, Turin became the capital of the Kingdom and remained so until 1865.
Turin has also been in the spotlights in recent times. In fact, in 2006 it was the venue for the 20th Winter Olympic Games.
It’s also the birthplace of some key Made in Italy symbols. Since 1899 Turin has been home to Fiat, and the hub of the Italian automotive industry. The famous and very delicious gianduja chocolate, better known as Gianduiotto, is produced here. You can find hand-made versions in the city’s numerous bars and coffee shops. Sampling it is one of the must-do activities during your stay in Turin.
The Egyptian Museum of Turin is housed in the Palace of the Academy of Sciences. We also mentioned it in our previous article, which you can find HERE. This 17th-century palace is home to the world’s most important museum of Egyptian antiquities, after Cairo. We recommend a guided tour to explore all the wonderful artifacts on display. The museum contains more than 6,000 items, including sarcophagi, mummies, amulets, statues, doors, grave goods, objects of daily life, and much more. The museum’s exhibits cover the period from the Paleolithic to the Coptic era – a veritable overview of Egyptian history.
If you want to continue exploring the city, a guided evening tour of Turin will definitely fit the bill. With your guide, you can see all the famous landmarks in the city. You’ll stroll down Corso Garibaldi, admire Piazza Castello and be enchanted by the magnificent Mole Antonelliana.
Did you know that it’s home to the Museum of Cinema? The 167.5-meter-high building is named after its architect, Alessandro Antonelli. We’re talking about the emblem of Turin, whose dome dominates the city skyline. The National Museum of Cinema inside the Mole Antonelliana is one of the most frequently visited museums in the city of the Savoys, and the only Italian museum of the seventh art. You can explore paintings, photographs, posters and equipment from Italian and international movie sets.
If you’d like to discover the Museum of Cinema with one of our guides, you can email us by clicking HERE.
The Royal Palace of Turin is one of the most important Savoy residences. The first home of the Savoy family, it was built in the 17th century in the city center, near Piazza Castello. In its heyday the palace symbolized the power of the Savoys and was the center of political and social life, first of the Kingdom of Sardinia and later the Kingdom of Italy. The magnificent Royal Armoury is located inside the palace, as are the apartments of the Prince of Piedmont. Within the Royal Palace museum is the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, which we recommend you visit with one of our tour guides. The chapel was completed in 1694, and since then it has faced many ups and downs, including a fire in April 1997, after which it required extensive restoration.
The Reggia di Venaria was designed by Amedeo Castellamonte and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. You’ll be astonished and impressed by this elegant Savoy residence, with its sumptuous and perfectly preserved furnishings. Accompanied by a professional guide, you can walk through the delightful Hall of Diana and the Great Gallery. The palace’s location was chosen specifically by the monarchs; it stands at the foot of the Lanzo Valleys with their extensive forests, an ideal place for hunting. Lastly, the palace gardens are of great interest and rare beauty: colorful, distinctive and ornate; it’s a real pleasure to spend a spring afternoon wandering among the countless plant and flower species.
In conclusion, below you’ll find some places – previously mentioned in one of our articles, which you can find HERE – where you can eat and sleep.
Our voyage of discovery in wonderful Turin has come to an end. We hope our advice can help make your two days in the city unforgettable. Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us, and if you’re looking for more ideas for activities and experiences, you can visit our BLOG.
