TURIN, THE SNOW QUEEN

The capital of Piedmont and its famous tourist localities, such as Sestriere and Bardonecchia, hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics, providing grounds for the performances of the world’s best athletes.

History

Conquered by Hannibal in 221 B.C. and an important commercial centre in Julius Caesar’s time, in 69 A.D. Turin was given the Latin name of “Augusta Taurinorum”. After having been under Roman rule, the city became the capital of a dukedom under the Longobards and of a county under the Franks. From 1536 to 1562 it was occupied by the French, but was returned to Emanuel Philiber in 1563 who made it the dukedom’s capital. During the civil war it was attacked on numerous occasions and in 1713 it became the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and with the Unification of Italy in 1861 it became the country’s first capital. During the Second World War it was one of the leading cities in the resistance against fascism. Currently it is the second largest city in Piedmont after Cuneo and boasts important industrial credentials in the steel and mechanical industry, and especially in the motor industry.  Fiat was born in Turin and its headquarters remain in the city. Other important industrial sectors include textile, chemical, food and enological with the production of world famous liquors and aperitifs.  In addition, its graphical and editorial industries are important.

The city and its monuments

When arriving in Turin it is possible to visit the heart of the oldest part of the city: piazza Castello, at the centre of which is Palazzo Madama, a building that tells the city’s history and today is the Civil Museum of Antique Art.  Not far away there is the eighteenth century Teatro Regio, Palazzo Reale, built in the 1600’s and the Savoy family’s residence up until 1865, the royal gardens created with French tastes and the Royal Armoury, which contains a collection of antique armour and arms. A visit to the Duomo must not be missed. Built at the end of the 1400’s, a large Romanic shaped bell tower rises on its left-hand side. It is also possible to visit the chapel of the Sacra Sindone (the Holy Shroud) and the Santuario della Consolata. Another symbol of Turin not to be missed is the Mole Antonelliana, which being 167,5 tall is the highest brick building in Europe.

The geographical area

Around Turin there are characteristic places and first class tourist destinations such as Pragelato, Sestriere and Bardonecchia, the centre of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Sestriere was created under an initiative of the Agnelli family and is known for the “Via Lattea” (Milky Way), the largest skiing district in Europe. Bardonecchia is one of the most important tourist centres in the upper Valle di Susa whilst, in the surrounding area, it is also possible to visit the following: the Basilica di Superga, with a memorial stone commemorating the 1949 plane accident; Pino Torinese, made up of baroque buildings that face onto the main street; Pecetto Torinese, a small town near to the Maddalena hill; Venarìa Reale, with the splendid piazza dell’Annunziata.

Other cities nearby Turin

Bricherasio · Cesana Torinese · Giaglione · Cavagnolo · Noasca · Brusasco · Avigliana · Cavour · Sestriere · Torino · Ronco Canavese · Aglié · Locana · Valprato Soana · Ceresole Reale · Ribordone ·

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