Did you know that this is the only museum in the world entirely dedicated to Ancient Egypt outside this country? For this reason, I have published a complete visitor’s guide, where you can find information regarding opening hours, prices and accesses, and the best tips and suggestions. Museo EgizioĢ00 meters from the Piazza San Carlo, you’ll find the Museo Egizio, a museum of Egyptian archeology and anthropology. This monument was designed in 1838 by the sculptor Carlo Marochetti and is the central attraction of Piazza San Carlo. With two “twin” churches at the south end (San Carlo and Santa Cristina), this square reminded me of the Piazza del Popolo in Rome!įinally, make sure you photograph the Caval ‘d brons, an equestrian bronze statue of Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy. Located in the historic center of Turin, the Piazza San Carlo is halfway to both Stazione di Porta Nuova and Piazza Castello. However, it was inaugurated as Piazza Reale and in the 1650s it was even called Piazza d’Armi, for its military use. The Piazza San Carlo was built in the first half of the 16th century and is named after Saint Charles Borromeo, Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan. So take the opportunity to have breakfast at Caffe’ Torino, Caffè San Carlo, or at the pastry and confectionery shop Stratta. Exquisite in style, it’s mainly famous for its shops, cafes, and restaurants under the side porticoes. Interestingly, it’s known as “Il Salotto di Torino”, that is, “The Living Room of Turin”.

The first day of this Turin itinerary starts in one of the most popular squares in the city. Photo credit: Principi di Piemonte | UNA Esperienze via Turin Itinerary – Day 1 Piazza San Carlo For example, I visited Turin from Milan and chose to travel by train (the journey takes one hour). This is the most practical means of transportation to reach this Italian region – especially from abroad – but it’s not the only one. Visiting Turinįirst of all, Turin is served by an international airport (Aeroporto di Torino), which is about 16km from the city. Even if this feat only lasted for four years, it led to the construction of the iconic Museo Egizio and Mole Antonelliana. This happened in 1861 and then King Vittorio Emanuele II declared Turin as the first Italian capital. Meanwhile, the Risorgimento movement was fighting for the unification of Italy. And although the region was conquered by the French Empire in 1802, the kingdom was restored shortly after the fall of Napoleon. Three centuries later, the duchy became the Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia, still ruled by the Savoy.

The various palaces and gardens started to emerge in the 15th century, as did the Università di Torino.Īt the same time, Turin had been the capital of the Duchy of Savoy since 1563. The House of Savoy was responsible for Turin‘s urban development, eventually becoming one of the most influential noble families in Europe. However, the 11th century marked the moment when Turin came to be governed by the Counts of Savoy, later Dukes of Savoy.

With the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the city was conquered by several Germanic peoples in the following centuries. This is the case of the Porta “Decumana”(incorporated in the Palazzo Madama), the Porta Palatina (very close to the Duomo), or even the ruins of the theater. Therefore, some works of the Roman Empire have survived to the present day. However, the first most relevant remains date from the Roman occupation, when Emperor Augustus gave his name to the city. As far as is known, the first people who inhabited here were the Taurini, of Celtic and Ligurian origins. As I mentioned in the introduction, Turin is a city with at least two millennia of history.

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