Turin Facts

Describing Turin is no easy task; the city is known for its cold weather, grey cityscape, and large industries. On the other hand, it is also an interesting and multifaceted city, rich in history. Formerly the capital of Italy, and linked to the Savoy tradition, it is a city of charm, brimming with historic monuments and bearing the entrepreneurial spirit of a city in continual economic growth. It is also a very ordered city, built to an urban plan with linear streets from the Roman period. Above all, Turin is an elegant city that does not flaunt its regal past, traces of which can be found in its artistic and historic heritage.

Centre

The physical, historic, and cultural centre is the symbol of the ancient capital of the Savoy kingdom. Turin would not be the same without its palaces, such as the Palazzo Madama and the Palazzo Reale, or without the porticos dating from the baroque period. Built to protect the royal family and their court from bad weather, these stunning architectural pieces are visible from a walk which winds around the centre for 18 kilometres. Starting from the Porta Nuova, walk to Piazza Castello, under the porticos which are surrounded by shops, bars and cafés of all kinds, until you reach the River Po. Crossing Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Carlo Felice, walk opposite Palazzo Reale until, in the distance beyond the Piazza Vittorio bridge, the Gran Madre is visible. The numerous cafés in the centre are an excellent refuge in the cold winter days, and provide a sanctuary where one can warm up with tea or a hot chocolate. Platti offers seductive desserts, while Pfatish lures customers with its chocolates. The Caffe Torino is a perfect place to taste bicerin (a local favorite drink consisting of melted chocolate, coffee, and milk), while Baratti, in the Galleria Subalpina has an intriguing atmosphere reminiscent of the far-off days of princes and princesses. On the opposite side of Piazza Castello is the Cathedral which houses the Holy Shroud and is currently undergoing restoration after the fire of a few years ago. The Mole Antonelliana stands out among the other buildings, and offers a splendid landscape view of the city to anyone who wants to climb to the top.

Crocetta-Cenisia

This is a mostly residential area which is popular with the Torinesi for its elegance. The famous Crocetta Market offers a wide variety of quality products in a traditional setting. This is the place to take a deep breath of good Turin air in the midst of distinguished buildings and sophisticated shops.

Mirafiori

This area is mainly associated with Fiat, which has its enormous factories here. In the last ten years, this working class area has been revamped and is now one of the most popular places for people looking to buy a new house. There are many green areas in the area, including the famous park, Parco del Valentino, and Superga's Park.

North Turin

This area is densely populated and contains many shops, but the large number of crowded buildings darken the atmosphere. There are a number of wholesale shops in the area, such as Revedi, but tourists generally prefer to shop in the centre of town. For a more unique tour, make note that Turin is one of thirty three international official centres for witchcraft. Their focal point is either the astrological sundial on the right side of the Cathedral or the Egyptian Museum, which has the second best collection of Egyptian cultural and traditional material and documentation in the world.

San Salvario

The multi-ethnic area of Turin extends from Porta Nuova to Porte Palatine. The large number of immigrants pouring into Turin in the last few years have settled in this area and have recreated the unique atmospheres of their homelands. The Torinesi have partly abandoned this area, which is one of the districts most in need of rehabilitation.

1. Geographical fact: Turin lies in Italy's northwest corner, on the river Po, in the Piemonte region with the Alps to the west and north
2. Interesting fact: Turin was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 to 1864
3. Religious fact: The Holy Shroud is located in Turin's Duomo just off Piazza Castello
4. Random fact: Turin's iconic building, the Mole Antonelliana was once the highest brick building bulding in the world
5. Chocolate fact: The ChocoPass is your ticket to 10 tastings of chocolate, from Gianuiotti to pralines, from cakes to biscuits and hot chocolate in Turin's historic cafe's and pastry shops
6. Fun fact: Step with your heel on the bronze bull's balls set in the pavement outside Caffe Torino in Piazza San Carlo, it's supposed to bring you luck!
7. Sports fact: In 2006 the eyes of the world were on Turin for the 20th Winter Olympic Games
8. Weird fact: Turin's Egyptian Museum has the second most important collection of Egyptian antiquities outside Cairo
9. 2011 fact: This year the city will host major celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification
10. Food fact: The "Slow Food" movement was started in Bra, near Turin
11. Bread fact: Turin is home to grissini, those famous breadsticks now served in virtually every restaurant in Italy
12. Drink fact: Vermouth was invented in Turin in 1786 by Benedetto Carpano who created this aperitif created by the expert blending of wine with thirteen different ingredients