Beautiful Turin

Turin is the capital of the Northern Italian region of Piedmont. The city has wide avenues and squares that are lined by impressive arcaded buildings. At one time it was the seat of the Savoy Dynasty. Today the city is home to Fiat and Lancia.

Museo Egizio/Egyptian Museum is a great place to see Egyptian mummies. The Palazzo dell'Accademia dell Scienze is home to the Egyptian Museum. There are many artifacts that were excavated in Egypt. You can see statues of various gods and pharaohs, papyruses, painted linens, and more.

The huge Mole Antonelliana was begun as a synagogue by Alessandro Antonelli in 1863. Later on, a 168-meter-tall spire was added. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the skyline of Turin. The tower offers 360-degree views of the city, surrounding hills, and the Savoy Alps. Today it is home to the National Museum of Cinema.

The National Automobile Museum is the place to learn about Turin auto manufacturers. There is a collection of antique and classic cars. There are multimedia exhibits that tell the stories of these cars.

The former Royal Palace was built in the 17th century. You can tour the impressively decorated state apartments.

In the right wing is the former Royal Armory with one of the largest collections of arms and armor in Europe. It also has a wonderful library.

The lovely Royal Gardens are great for strolling.

The Piazza San Carlo is surrounded by arcaded buildings. Beneath the arcades are stylish shops and historic cafes. In the center of the square is the equestrian statue of Duke Emmanuel Philibert.

In the Parco del Valentino, you'll find a complete medieval village. It is an imaginative view of what such a village might have looked like with a castle, artisans' studios, and shops. It was built for the 1884 exhibition and remained as a part of the park.

The Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista is the first example of Renaissance architecture in Turin.

Piazza Castello is the centerpiece of the large Palazzo Madama. This is a 13th-century castle and is an impressive example of Piedmontese Baroque architecture.

The Museo Civico d' Arte Antica/Civic Museum of Ancient Art offers visitors a look into Turin's history and artistic legacy. On the ground floor is the 15th-century castle and art of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Of interest are the grand staircase and medieval courtyard.

The Church of San Lorenzo is considered architecturally one of the world's greatest churches. The round domed center is surrounded by eight curved bays.

Santuario di Santa Maria Consolatrice (La Consolata) is a Baroque pilgrimage church. The Madonna was honored on this site.

The Palace of Venaria is located about 14 km from central Turin. It was designed as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Savoy, Carlo Emanuele II in 1675. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

There are many highlights here among them the Water Theater where a choreographed fountain has 100 jets that send water as high as 12 meters, while colored lights play around them.

The Galleria d'Arte Moderna has one of the finest collections of modern art in Italy. There are about 45,000 artworks in the collections. Such Italian artists are represented as Modigliani, De Chirico, Carrà, De Pisis, and Guttuso. You can also enjoy the artwork of Renoir, Utrillo, Paul Klee, Max Ernst, and Chagall among others.

Porta Palatina is an impressive first-century gate and the only one remaining of the four entrances to the Roman city.

Turin has some wonderful historic coffee houses. You can enjoy chocolate delicacies accompanied by delicious coffee. Three of the best coffee houses are the 19th century Caffe San Carlo, Baratti & Milano, and the Art Nouveau Caffe Torino.

Quadrilatero Romano is a mostly pedestrianized neighborhood. It has a network of small streets lined with historic buildings that are home to shops, restaurants, and bars.