Experience the Beauty and History of Turin

Turin, or Torino, Italy is a favorite destination for tourists, both local and foreign, because of its rich historical background and numerous art galleries, museums, piazzas, churches, palaces, opera houses, theaters and parks.Turin is the first capital city of Italy, now capital of Piedmont and an important place for business in the country. It is located in the northern part of Italy with an estimated 2.2 million population.

I ventured into Turin last summer of 2015 and the minute I stepped out of the cab, I was reminded of Paris with its elegant tree-lined boulevard. The city’s rich cultural heritage makes it even more interesting to explore.

I first visited Piazza San Carlo, one of the main squares in the city. At the center of the square is the statue of equestrian Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, while the two churches close the southern edge of the square.

My next destination was the Cappella della Sacra Sindone or the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. The chapel is located outside the Turin Cathedral and connected to the Royal Palace of Turin. Shroud of Turin is a religious relic said to be the burial shroud of Jesus.

Next on my itinerary was Mole Antonelliana which is the architectural symbol of Turin. It is named after its architect,  Alessandro Antonelli, and completed in 1889 and was meant to be used as a synagogue but the municipality of Turin bought it while it was under construction with the intent of turning it into a monument of national unity.

My last stop was Piazza Castello, the old quarter of the city with many of the city’s primary draws.  Piazza Castello is also home to the Palazzo Madama, the royal palace rebuilt by French princess Christine Marie and Sicilian architect Filippo Juvarra, as well as the Palazzo di Città (town hall).

Of course, who can resist the taste of Italian cuisine? After a long day of exploring and taking pictures of Turin’s spectacular sights, dinner in one of the most famous restaurants in the city, Ristorante Piccolo Lord was the final touch for a perfect tour. The food was incredible, with tiny savory pastries, homemade stuzzica appetito, and tiny arancino flavoured with bell pepper brought with a glass of Prosecco.

My trip to Turin is one of the best ones I’ve had in years. The city’s beauty is both captivating and unique with its rich history and magnificent architecture. There is much to explore in Turin, but for now, I cherish the memory of its beauty which I had a chance to experience.