~ Top 10 Attractions To See While In Turin, Italy ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Attractions To See While In Turin, Italy

If you are planning a trip to Turin any time soon but don’t quite know exactly what to expect then before you head off be sure to skim through the links below for a few ideas about where to go and what to see. All the ‘must see’ attractions are here, ready and waiting for you so you can simply pick and choose or decide to do the whole lot, but you certainly won’t be guilty of not knowing what to expect.


1. The Royal Palace   



This is the Royal Palace of the House of Savoy to give it its full title, and the immaculate grand house is one of the oldest in the region, despite being modernised quite heavily in the 17th century. The original building is more than a century older than that, but as so often happens with prestigious families every time there was a celebration or someone took over the seat of power in the family they would commission a new extension or alter something, but the overall look of the building is fluid and the surrounding gardens are, as you would expect for a stately home like this quite something to behold in the Mediterranean sunshine.

[MysteRy]

2. King Vitorio Emanuele II Monument   



Also known as the Altare della Patria this imposing monument sits in between the Capitoline Hill and the Piazza Venezia. It was built to celebrate the life of the first king to completely unify Italy, which previously had been run as a series of principalities. In 2007 it was raised to its current height and it holds the tomb of an unknown soldier as well as an eternal flame, designed to also commemorate those who fell in World War I. It hasn’t been without controversy as it was considered too large for the area originally but you can see most of Rome from here so as well as a place to enjoy in its own right the views from here are also something special to behold.

[MysteRy]

3. The Roman Gate   



The Palatine Gate in Turin is the main piece of surviving evidence that this site was populated by the early Romans, and for a structure which has been in place for about 2,000 years it is in pretty good condition! The door which is built into the walls was the gate to the city. The name itself derives from the Latin for gate to the palace, but there are a number of nearby attractions from a similar period so if you are looking for a little bit of history and culture on your trip then this little area might be just what you want, simply in virtue of how so many exciting features are so close together.

[MysteRy]

4. Stupinigi Royal Castle   



In a region famous for its castles and palaces this is the King of them all. This was the so called ‘hunting residence’ in the Royal House of Savoy, you probably wouldn’t consider it much of a lodge. It is a castle by any definition and the interiors are something very special. Completely ornate and over the top, they have all the decadence you would expect from the super wealthy, with frescos and chandeliers in almost every room. There is however a hunting park in the grounds and since 1992 they have been preserved as a national park, filled with forest and rare plants as well as a large amount of wildlife which has flourished ever since the last hunt took place here.

[MysteRy]

5. San Carlo Square   



The 17th century was one of the periods that really helps to define this area of Turin today, and this is one of the many squares which are dotted across the city. It is the largest and arguably the most beautiful, with an equestrian statue right at its heart. It has been used for parades and as a market square and is banked by two of the main churches in the city. There is also the palace Solaro del Borgo, and there are few places better to stop and enjoy one of the famous Italian coffees, as the cafes in and around the square are amongst the best places in the world to relax.

[MysteRy]

6. Roman Theatre   



The ruins of the amphitheater here aren’t in the same great condition that the Palatine Gate enjoys, but all the same they are a tremendous place to visit and enjoy soaking up a bit of history. Built at the same time in the first century, gladiators came from all over the Empire to test themselves at the bidding of their masters here, in front of a cacophony of noise from the locals who poured themselves in to see their heroes in battle. There is still an atmosphere here which sets it apart so if you are on a historical jaunt and don’t like your history repaired to look brand new then look no further than this; it simply must be on your to do list.

[MysteRy]

7. Turin Cathedral



No trip to a major Italian cathedral would be complete without a visit to one of the major Roman Catholic cathedrals that cover this country, where religion is so important. The current building was erected in the 15th century, on the site of three other churches which had been in place for the best part of a thousand years in their own right. The building was designed in the main though to house one of the holiest objects in the world, the Shroud of Turin which has since had its own chapel erected in the late 17th century. The Shroud itself is visible only during the ‘Ostensioni’, a special celebration in the area.

[MysteRy]

8. Castello Square   



This square is formed by a space which was left in between some of the most important buildings in the city, so not only is the Piazza well worth a visit it is also literally next to some of the finest other attractions in the region. It is the heart of the city, where you can see the Royal Theatre, The Palace and The Royal Library. In addition, all roads lead here, as the major streets which cross the city all have either the start or end here. There is nowhere better to start a day trip, or enjoy a spot of lunch.

[MysteRy]

9. Villa of the Queen   



Despite not being a million miles away from the main city itself, this stately home with its beautiful gardens feels completely isolated, even though you can see the city with ease from the grounds. The interior has been recently renovated but the key thing here is the gardens. Sprawling away from the main house the cover a smaller area than it seems thanks to their clever layout, but it is one of the few places in the region that offer you views of both the Alps and the city. Inside the main hall has been sensitively restored and this is now one of the leading tourist attractions in the area.

[MysteRy]

10. Basilica of Superga   



When you look at this beautiful basilica you would never guess that originally it was a home for poor and homeless young boys in the city. Set up by a man called John Bosco, it only latterly became the Basilica of Our lAdy of Help of Christians, but it has always had that Christian spirit about it. Bosco himself was ultimately to become a saint, and his remains along with the relics of up to 6,000 other saints are now housed here.


So, in a whistle stop sort of way that is our guide to Turin, a simple list of the ‘must see’ attractions but don’t think for a second that just because we have stopped at ten there is nothing more to do here. Like all Italian towns and cities, this is a vibrant and exciting place which a simple list of points of interest will never hope to explain and unravel. You have so much to look forward to, whether your passion lies in music, art, fashion or food, this is one of the leading cities in one of the leading countries for all of these pleasures in the world. Equally, even if sight seeing isn’t really your sort of thing there is still an awful lot to enjoy here, because the culture here is ingrained in everything that the Italians do. We are confident that you are going to have a wonderful time here so whether you want to relax or you want to go wild there is so much to offer in this unique place, filled with passionate people.