2 minute read
Regions
Turin
Italy’s First Capital
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Turin, or Torino as it is called in Italy, is the capital of the Piedmont region situated along the western bank of the Po River, below the Susa Valley. Due to its position in the mountainous northwestern part of Italy, Turin is often referred to as “The Capital of the Alps.” Its origins lie in the Taurini, an ancient Celto-Ligurian people.
Serving as a capital is nothing new to Turin. It served as the Kingdom of Italy’s original capital from 1861 to 1865 and home to the royal family. Prior to that, it had served as the capital of the Duchy of Savoy and then the Kingdom of Sardinia ruled by the House of Savoy. Because it is the birthplace of several important figures involved in the Risorgimento, Turin is known as “the cradle of Italian liberty.”
Turin’s skyline, which prominently features the Mole Antonelliana protruding above the city along with the Alps towering in the background. (Fabio Lamanna)
FUN FACT: During the 1950s and 60s, Turin attracted so many southern Italians that it was said to be “the third southern Italian city after Naples and Palermo.
Turin’s political importance diminished during World War II, particularly because it was a main target for Allied bombings. However, during Italy’s postwar economic boom, Turin transformed into a major city for industry, commerce, and trade. Now, it comprises part of what is known as the “industrial triangle,” which also includes Milan and Genoa. One of Turin’s largest industries is the automotive industry, which was the city’s largest employer since before World War II. It serves as the headquarters for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia.
Turin (Torino)
Capital of: Piedmont Region Province: Metropolitan City of Turin Population: 847,033 U.S. Sister Cities: Detroit, Michigan Salt Lake City, Utah
With its historical significance, it’s no surprise that Turin is rich with culture—including art galleries, museums, palaces, opera houses, and churches. Two of the most renowned museums are the Museo Egizio and the Mole Antonelliana while the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, which is part of Turin’s historical center, is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Many of the city’s buildings showcase the Baroque style of architecture that was popular under the Kingdom of Savoy. One of the most visited landmarks is the Turin Cathedral, which is dedicated to the city’s patron saint, John the Baptist. It is here, in an extension of the cathedral called the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, where the Shroud of Turin is kept. The Shroud, which is a linen cloth that some say Jesus of Nazareth was wrapped and buried in after his crucifixion, bears an image in his likeness. Thousands of devoted followers make pilgrimages from everywhere in the world in order to see it during one of its rare public unveilings.
Of course, one of the main reasons Americans would be familiar with Turin is for having hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006. It also hosts two elite soccer teams: Juventus F.C., which is one of the most famous soccer clubs in the world, and Torino F.C.
But no matter who you root for—or even if you don’t take in a game—there’s a lot to get excited about when visiting Turin.