Turin to Milan, via the Aosta Valley, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como

By Enrico Massetti

This is a guide to a multi-days trip in the Alsp and lakes of Northern Italy. It starts from Turin, then it goes to Aosta, Courmayeur and the Aosta Valley. It goes then to the lakes region, touching Orta Lake, Stresa on Lake Maggiore, driving on the west coast of the lake with a visit to Villa Taranto, to continue to Lugano and the Como and Lake Como: Villa Carlotta, Menaggio, Bellagio, Varenna and Lecco. The itinerary ends with a visit to Milan.

There are extensive descriptions and color photos of the attractions.

It contains many reviews for the best recommended restaurants that are at the location described. You have the basic information ready: the name, address and telephone number are included in the guide together with the review.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Enrico Massetti
• Release date: Jan 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310911552

Enrico Massetti

Enrico Massetti nació en Milán, Italia, donde vivió durante más de 30 años, visitando innumerables destinos turísticos, desde las montañas de los Alpes hasta el mar de Sicilia. Ahora vive en Washington, Estados Unidos. Sin embargo, visita regularmente su ciudad natal y disfruta recorriendo todos los lugares de su país, especialmente aquellos a los que puede llegar en transporte público. Puede contactar con Enrico en [e-mail].

Book preview

Turin to Milan

Via the Aosta Valley,

Lake Maggiore and Lake Como

Enrico Massetti

Copyright Enrico Massetti 2014

Published by Enrico Massetti

All Rights Reserved

Third edition

The Alps and the Lakes of Northern Italy

Map Description automatically generated

The itinerary

The area between Turin, Milan and Genoa is today known in Italy as the industrial triangle. And yet the names of these same cities evoke three of the most magnificent aspects of Italy’s natural scenery: The Alps, at whose feet Turin spreads the regular network of its straight streets; the lakes, which are set like a diadem on the brow of the Lombard capital; and the sea of the two Rivieras which meet where Genoa sits, enthroned like a queen.

In very ancient times it was over the Alpine passes that the invader entered Italy the Gauls, Hannibal, the innumerable Barbarian tribes; and over these same passes the Roman legions poured into Gaul, into Switzerland and into Germany. This, then, is why the civilization of Piedmont and Lombardy seems so closely related to that of western and central Europe, and especially to that of one particular state, long since vanished, but of which evidence keeps reappearing like some not entirely forgotten memory of spiritual unity: the kingdom of Burgundy.

But no invaders landed in Liguria; on the contrary, the merchants and, when necessary, the warriors of Genoa set out from its shores bound for the prosperous colonies of the eastern Mediterranean, or for the Crusades.

Although their historical evolution from the Middle Ages on was by no means similar (Turin became the capital of a kingdom which was later to give birth to the Italian State; Genoa set itself up as an aristocratic republic; and Milan, after a brief seigniorial phase, fell under foreign rule), a profound and lively sense of unity exists between these three regions.

The itinerary: Turin

One or more days should be reserved to visit Turin and nearby surroundings.

Walking is definitely the best way to feel the pulse of Turin: stroll around the city parks, drop into its historic cafés, take in the multiethnic quarters, enjoy fashion and shopping, but don’t forget that Turin is magical too. So, put on your walking shoes and let your curiosity lead the way.

Architecture

Turin has a Baroque face and an Art Nouveau face, it has its Royal Residences, its bridges and 18km of arcades lining the city center, but there are innovative installations too, set on creating a brand-new look.

A tour of 20th-century and contemporary Turin combines a history lesson with an introduction to some avant-garde infrastructures and works of art.

Baroque Turin

Palazzo Reale

For centuries Turin lingered on the edge of the Ancient Roman checkerboard layout legacy (even today a distinguishing feature of the city center) and it entered a golden age in the 1600s, thanks to the commitment of the Savoia family, who commissioned the greatest architects of the time to enhance their capital.

Capital of the Duchy of Savoy, the Kingdom of Sardinia and then the first capital of Italy, the heart of the Torinese baroque system is the Corona delle Delizie: a circuit of 14 Royal Residences – urban, suburban and some located in the rest of Piedmont – declared Patrimonio dell’Umanità in 1997.

The entire region is starred with these magnificent buildings that form a vast circuit. Stately palaces, fairytale castles and immense parks recount a history of dukes and bellicose kings, lovers of art and collectors, refined royal ladies who loved ballet and the theatre, famous royal architects.

Places built for the purpose of entertainment and leisure, splendid hunting lodges, palatial buildings at the heart of modern Italy, the Royal Residences narrate the epic deeds of the House of Savoy, from the grand dukes to the first kings of Italy.

The heritage of the kings of Piedmont

A picture containing stone, colonnade Description automatically generated

Palazzo Madama

In town we should remember: Palazzo Reale, the Royal Palace was the Savoia residence until 1865, Palazzo Madama, the home of the Museo di Arte Antica and Palazzo Carignano, location of the Subalpine Parliament and first national Parliament, following the Unification of Italy.

The Palazzo Reale is an impressive seventeenth-century building, which has been altered and extended on various occasions down the centuries. It still bears traces of the work of the most important artists active in Turin. Until 1865 it served as the residence of the Dukes of Savoy, the Kings of Sardinia and the Kings of Italy.

Out of town: the Stupinigi Hunting Lodge or Palazzina di Caccia, the palace at Venaria Reale and Rivoli Castle.

The hunting activities of the kings

A picture containing sky, outdoor, city, building Description automatically generated

Stupinigi, a small hunting hut…

The Stupinigi Hunting Lodge, with its beautiful park and extensive surrounding grounds, is extraordinarily bold and original.

Today it houses the Museum of Art and Furnishing, with its furniture, paintings and objects of great value from the original furnishings of the Lodge, as well as from other Savoy residences.

The Rivoli Castle is connected by a 20-kilometers direct road to the Basilica of Superga, that was built to satisfy a vow made by Vittorio Amedeo II in front of the statue of the Mother of Graces during a difficult time for the Savoy dynasty. In 1706 Turin was invaded by the French troops of Luigi XIV who ambitiously hoped to transform Piedmont into a French province but found a fierce resistance on the part of the Duke Vittorio Amedeo II.

On 2 September 1706 the Duke, along with Prince Eugenio, climbed the hills of Superga to examine the battlefield from a great height. The small church at the top of the hill served the few parishioners of Superga. In front of the statue of the Madonna, the Duke made a vow: if he obtained victory against the French, he would erect in that place a large church in her honor.

Superga

A picture containing outdoor, government building, city Description automatically generated

Superga

On the morning of the 7th September at 10 o’clock the fighting began. The battle was bloody and terrible but the Piedmontese army had the better of their French counterparts who were defeated. Turin was free and Piedmont maintained its liberty.

The Duke Vittorio Amedeo II assumed the crown of Sicily and then Sardinia and in 1717 laid the first stone of the glorious temple vowed in the honor of the Madre del Salvadore – The Savor of Turin.

Where to eat in Turin

Places at walking distance from Turin center:

Master Sandwich sandwiches - Via Palazzo Di Città 6, Turin [phone]: This sandwich shop is a small hole in the wall type of business that provides a good, quick and affordable lunch option. The location is good right off the Royal Palace Square. There are many options to choose from which makes it almost mandatory to go back and try something else. The staff works fast and furiously to take care of all the patrons as soon as possible.

Monegato cafe serving food - Piazza Madama Cristina 5/A, Turin [phone]: The food