Hidden Italy: Turin

At Citalia we have 95 years’ experience and over this time we have discovered a number of Italian hidden gems that are off the beaten track. We have travelled the country top to bottom, bottom to top, and everything in between to bring you our extensive knowledge and secret treasures.  
 
Without further ado, introducing the latest in our Hidden Italy series, Citalia’s Choice for December…TURIN! 

Italy’s fourth largest city and capital of the Piedmont region, Turin has a lot to offer. In the northwest of Italy, it has an impressive backdrop of the Italian Alps and has a rich architectural heritage. Here are some of our favourite things about Turin for you to enjoy on your next Italian adventure.  

Mole Antonelliana

The Mole Antonelliana towers above the city and is perhaps the most distinctive building in Turin, dominating the skyline. Completed in 1889 and designed by Alessandro Antonelli, the Mole was originally a Jewish Synagogue before becoming a monument of national unity. Visitors can head to the panoramic terrace 85 metres up and enjoy stunning views of the city below and the Italian Alps in the background. The building also houses the National Cinema Museum where you’ll learn about the history of cinema through the years. 

Juventus

Turin is home to Juventus FC, Italy’s most successful football club and one of the most famous teams worldwide. Known locally as Juve, the club was founded in 1897 and has spent most of its time playing in the top leagues. International matches attract thousands of people to Turin to catch sight of some of the most famous names in Italian football. The team play in an iconic black and white strip and have won many trophies over the years. Pay a visit to the Juventus Museum to learn about the history and success of the club, and then go on a tour around the Allianz Stadium, the home of Juventus. Their motto is fino alla fine which means ‘until the end’.  

Piazza San Carlo

Piazza San Carlo is one of many squares in Turin, but perhaps the most beautiful. It preserves a seventeenth century look with pretty facades and enchanting arcades. In the centre you’ll see an equestrian statue of Emanuele Filiberto who was the Duke of Savoy from 1553 to 1580. He is remembered for recovering the Savoyard state and moving the capital to Turin. Piazza San Carlo has a number of small cafes and shops with one of the most notable being Caffè San Carlo which opened its doors in 1842. It is the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by.  

Walk like an Egyptian 

One of Turin’s most prized attractions is the Egyptian Museum, Museo Egizio. Specialising in Egyptian archaeology and anthropology, it is the world’s oldest museum dedicated to the ancient Egyptian culture. The origins of the museum can be traced all the way back to 1630 when the Duke of Savoy, Charles Emmanuel I, started a small collection of antiquities from Egypt. Over time the collection began to expand as archaeological expeditions took place and the collection was put on public display in 1824. Today, the museum attracts people from all over the world visiting its vast collection of history.  

Shroud of Turin 

The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth that shows the negative image of a crucified man. Centuries old, many people believe it to be the burial garment of Jesus of Nazareth. Scientists of the modern day have spent many hours studying the Shroud in great detail with intense research and we know more about it today than ever before. It has been preserved in the royal chapel of San Giovanni Battista since 1578. You can visit a museum dedicated to the Shroud as well as the cathedral that it is housed in, but you won’t be able to see the original.  

Italian Automobile 

Turin is the city of automobile with Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo basing their headquarters here. Turin is home to The National Automobile Museum (Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile) which houses over 200 original cars of 80 brands from around the world. The oldest items in the collection can be linked to Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia, the founder, who collected lots of cars and founded it in 1933. Officially opened in 1960, visitors to the museum can learn about the history and importance of the automobile market in Italy as well as the evolution of car models over time.  

Where can I stay in Turin? 

We have some excellent hotels available for your next adventure to Turin.  

Discover the real Italy with Citalia 

Tempted by Turin? Well, here is our commitment to you. With 95 years’ experience we pride ourselves on ensuring you Travel with Confidence. Our Italy Experts are on hand to help you plan your next enchanting escape. Discover the real Italy with Citalia, your next adventure is just a call away…  
 
Enjoyed uncovering Turin? Discover more of the real Italy in our latest blog series. Every month we’re revealing a new off the beaten track destination, explore the regions our experts have already shared, with Hidden Italy: Umbria and Hidden Italy: Piedmont.