Things To Do In Turin

Turin’s list of interesting things to do and see does not include theme parks or manmade attractions and is instead based around its rich and interesting history. Fine buildings and museums make up the larger part of the places of interest and provide ample opportunities for those with cameras to take home some interesting snaps. Art and architecture lovers will indeed find Turin an ideal place to visit and those with even a mild interest in the city’s history will find some fascinating sights.

Basilica di Superga

Basilica di Superga was built by the Sicilian architect Juvarra under commission from Vittorio Amedeo II, who wanted to pay tribute to the Virgin Mary for saving the city from the hands of the French during the siege of 1706. The structure’s exterior features a magnificent dome and neo-classic porch besides other interesting architectural features. As one of the city’s oldest buildings, the basilica is a must-see for anyone interested in history.

Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista

Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista is a grand 15th century church known throughout the world as the building that plays home to the Shroud of Turin, one of Christianity’s most treasured and controversial relics. The shroud is not always available for viewing; however, the chapel in which it is normally displayed is in itself worthy of note, with its black marble décor and magnificent six-tiered dome.

Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea

Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, or GAM as it is otherwise known, is Turin's premier modern art facility and one of Italy’s most significant museums of its kind. Founded in 1863, the museum features collections from the late 18th and 19th centuries, with works by artists such as Canova, Massimo d'Azeglio and Francesco Hayez. Over 600 pieces of art are on display, with collections arranged according to the period in which they originated. Centrepieces include works by some of Italy’s finest as well as international artists such as Modigliani, Giorgio de Chirico, Gino Severini, Otto Dix, Max Ernst, Paul Klee and Andy Warhol.

Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi

At the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, visitors can view the city’s other great work by the architect Juvarra. Built under commission of the Savoys in 1729, the Palazzina is a hunting lodge where members of the House of Savoy spent leisure time and hunted in the surrounding forests. The building’s shape is architecturally interesting, having been based on a Saint Andrew's cross, while inside the interior is lavishly decorated with fine paintings, furniture and artefacts that once belonged to the Savoys. The building is essentially a museum that gives visitors an insight into the lives of its original owners through furniture and artwork. The elegant gardens and forest areas around the property are ideal for exploring after you’ve toured inside.

Palazzo Madama

Palazzo Madama is an interesting architectural attraction that features the work of famous architect Filippo Juvarra. Within the structure you’ll find a medieval castle and a Roman gate as well as various features hailing from the Renaissance. Inside the building, visitors will find one of the country’s biggest collections of ceramics plus various fine paintings including Anotello da Messina's Portrait of a Man.

Palazzo Reale and Armeria Reale

Another structure hailing from the era of the House of Savoy, this fine Baroque building was designed by the count of Castellamonte and was once an official residence of the Savoys. The building’s interior is perhaps its most interesting part, featuring lavishly gilded and decorated rooms, within which you can find fine tapestries and a collection of vases from Japan and China. The Armeria Reale features an extensive collection of arms and armour from a number of centuries including weaponry from the 16th and 17th centuries. After checking out the palace, visitors can take a pleasant stroll in the gardens located behind it.

Museums

Turin features a good selection of museums and it’s fair to say that visitors heading to the city with intentions of learning something of its history and heritage will not be disappointed by the facilities on hand presenting such details. Beside those museums already mentioned above, highlights include the Museo Egizio, with its fine collection of Egyptian artefacts that is hailed as one of the most significant in the world. Some 30,000 pieces are on display at the museum including the Rock Temple of Ellessiya plus two sphinxes and a large, detailed statue of Ramses II.

Meanwhile, at the Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento (National Museum of the Risorgimento) you’ll find exhibits that tell of the days when Vittorio Emanuele and Garibaldi fought against the Bourbons and the Austrians to create a unified Italy.