Turin and Its Mountains

By Enrico Massetti

Turin, the regional capital of Piedmont, is reputed to be a magical city. And it can only be by the magic that a city, considered to be the capital of Italian heavy industry (FIAT, one of the biggest automobile producers in the world, is based here), is also one of Italy's main tourist attractions.
Of course, there are good reasons for this. In the cathedral of Turin is kept the Holy Shroud, the ancient linen winding-sheet in which, according to the tradition, the body of Christ was after the crucifixion. There is also the Egyptian Museum at Turin, which contains an extraordinary collection of art from Ancient Egypt, and the Sabauda Gallery, full of masterpieces by great European artists.
Finally, at Turin, there are some tremendous, monumental testimonies to the vital role played by Piedmont in modern Italian history, as the seat of the House of Savoy (the reigning dynasty of Italy until 1946) and the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy: The Royal Palace, Palazzo Madama, the Mole Antonelliana, and the Royal Villa at Stupinigi.
The natural landscape is splendid and varied: mountains, valleys, hills (the Langhe are famous as the setting for many stories by Cesare Pavese and Beppe Fenoglio, favorite writers from Piedmont), lakes (Maggiore, with Stresa, d’Orta, di Viverone), and the Valgrande National Park.
This booklet guides Turin for a visit lasting two, three, or more days; there are extensive descriptions and photos of museums, churches, nightlife, and other attractions. It contains reviews of places where to eat. It has sections covering single days or half days, so you can combine several areas depending on the length of your stay and your preference of what o see.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Enrico Massetti
• Release date: Sep 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005214982

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

Enrico Massetti

Turin And its Mountains

Enrico Massetti

Text Copyright © Enrico Massetti 2017-2022

Images ©, or CC Creative Commons license, as specified for each image

Cover image © Enrico Massetti, Adobe inc.

Published by Enrico Massetti

All Rights Reserved

2022 edition

Table of content

Enrico Massetti

Table of content

Turin

Torino + Piemonte Card

Turin Architecture

Baroque Turin

Turin Grand tour: 1800 to today

Turin Architecture

Mole Antonelliana

Modern Turin

Contemporary Turin

Turin Art and culture

Turin Museums

Turin Egyptology Museum

Turin Historic cafés

Caffè Al Bicerin

Caffe’ Baratti & Milano

Caffè Elena

Caffè Piatti

Caffè Fiorio

Caffè Miretti

Caffè San Carlo

Caffè Mulassano

Caffè Neuv Caval ‘D Brons

Caffè Torino

Confetteria Stratta

Caffè Pepino

Confetteria Avvignano

Turin Chocolate

Turin Markets

Porta Palazzo Market

Balôn and Gran Balôn

The Shroud of Turin

Turin nightlife

Murazzi

Quadrilatero Romano

Borgo Dora

Docks Dora

The origins of the Dora warehouses

Slow Food

Where to eat in Turin

Stupinigi, a small hunting hut

Superga

Olympic Turin

Olympic Stadium

Olympic Village

Media Village

Media center

Turin Piedmont Media center

Turin Palaghiaccio

Turin Esposizioni

Oval Lingotto

Medals Plaza

Turin – Getting in and around

Getting to Turin by plane

Getting to Turin by train

Getting to Turin by car

Getting around Turin by public transportation

Bicycling in Turin

Getting around Turin by bicycle

1. Bike paths in the Parco della Mandria

2. Turin cycle path along the Ceronda

3. Bike paths in the Pellerina Park

4. Bike paths in the Chico Mendes Park

5. Crown of delights

Getting around Turin by car

Tips for renting a car in Turin

Getting around Turin by taxi

Navigating the Po River

City Sightseeing

Turin Olympic mountains

Bardonecchia

Cesana – San Sicario

Pinerolo

Pragelato

Sauze d’Oulx

Sestriere

Turin is one day from Milan.

Turin and Piedmont Food & Recipes

Specialty Foods of Piedmont

Typical food from Piedmont includes:

Piedmont Recipes

Other tourism guides

Italian-visits.com

The Author

Things to Know

Index

Turin

A city with a mountain in the background Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Turin

Turin, the regional capital of Piedmont, is reputed to be a magical city. And it can only be by magic that a city, considered to be the capital of Italian heavy industry (FIAT, one of the biggest automobile producers in the world, is based here), is also one of the main tourist attractions of Italy.

Of course, there are good reasons for this. In the cathedral of Turin is kept the Holy Shroud, the ancient linen winding-sheet in which, according to tradition, the body of Christ was wrapped after his crucifixion. In Turin, there is also the Egyptian Museum, which contains an extraordinary collection of art from Ancient Egypt, and the Sabauda Gallery, full of masterpieces by great European artists.

Finally, at Turin, there are some tremendous, monumental testimonies of the critical role played by Piedmont in modern Italian history, as the seat of the House of Savoy (the reigning dynasty of Italy until 1946) and the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy: The Royal Palace, Palazzo Madama, the Mole Antonelliana, and the Royal Villa at Stupinigi.

The natural landscape is splendid and varied: mountains, valleys, hills (the Langhe are famous as the setting for many stories by Cesare Pavese and Beppe Fenoglio, favorite writers from Piedmont), lakes (Maggiore, with Stresa, d'Orta, di Viverone), and the Valgrande National Park.

Walking is the best way to feel the pulse of Turin: stroll around the city parks, drop into its historic cafés, take in the multiethnic quarters, and 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.

Torino + Piemonte Card

Discover the unique beauties of Torino and Piemonte efficiently and economically with the Torino + Piemonte Card; the pass is available in the 2, 3, 5 7 days versions and the 2-day Junior Card. It provides:

• Free entry to more than 180 museums, exhibitions, monuments, castles, fortresses, and Royal Residences in Torino and Piemonte.

• Free rides on tourist transports (panoramic lift in the Mole Antonelliana, Sassi - Superga rack tramway, boats on the river Po, tourist shuttle buses) train to/from Torino-Torino International Airport.

• Reduced ticket on the primary tourist services of Turin: panoramic lift in the Mole Antonelliana, Sassi - Superga rack tramway, Venaria Express shuttle bus.

• Discounts on prominent cultural events, outdoor activities, adventure parks, and guided tours throughout the region.

• Free admission to the company's visits of Made in Torino Tour, The Excellent (booking required).

• 10% off the ticket for the City Sightseeing Torino open-top bus and validity for 48 hours, instead of 24.

• Car rental and tourist transport in the region at special rates.

• Rebates on sports equipment rental, outdoor activities, and theme parks.

• Reductions on guided tours, events, shows, and much more!

What's more, with a little supplement and just in combination with a Card, you can buy the multi-day ticket to travel on all urban and suburban public transports of Turin and the special Pass for the Tourist Services of GTT.

The Torino + Piemonte Card is valid for an adult and a child under age 12.

The Torino + Piemonte Card Junior is valid for one person under 18.

PRICES

Two days € 35.00; 3 days € 42.00;

Five days € 51.00;

2-day Junior Card: € 15.00.

WHEN

The Card is available throughout the year.

WERE

Purchase your card online 48 hours before arrival or in person at Turismo Torino e Provincia Tourist Information