As mentioned in a previous post, I recently spent a week in the Northern Italian city of Turin, or Torino, and here I am to give a pictorial recap of those days. Most people will know Turin, if at all, as the home of soccer giant Juventus, but it has many more charms - in fact, it turned out to be one of our favorite Italian cities so far. Part of the appeal ist the location - on the confluence of the rivers Dora and Po, and framed by the panorama of the Alps, which seem near enough to grasp. Another part is the history - Turin was the capital of the duchy of Savoy, and it briefly was the first capital of the united Italy. The Savoy dynasty left behind many palaces and stately homes, in the city and in the countryside around it. The third part is Turin's industrial heritage, as the home of auto maker Fiat (the "T" in Fiat stands for Turin). Fiat is very much alive today, but they also have left their imprint. Other famous brands, such as coffee maker Lavazza originate from here, as does the concept of "Eataly". We enjoyed lovely weather throughout, except for one thunderstorm which was happily timed so as to occur while we were attending a classical concert. Also, Turin has literally miles and miles of covered colonnades or arcades, where you can sit out any storm.
So, without any further ado, here's a few photographic souvenirs:
A view of the city, with the alps in the background and the river Po at left.
A closer look, with the city's landmark "Mole Antonelliana" at center right; it is today the home of a very impressive Italian National Cinema museum.
Again, an even closer look at the Mole Antonelliana.
The Superga basilica overlooking the city. It also contains the tombs of the House of Savoy.
The royal palace at Venaria, just outside the city.
Your friendly author in the palace at Venaria.
A portrait of Queen Margherita (in whose honor the pizza margherita is named)
Somewhat incongruously, there was a motorcycle exhibit at the Venaria palace.
Detail from a sculpture I liked - check out the cityscape, and the sleeping figure in the lower foreground.
Piazza Castello, or palace square, in the city center.
Just a few of the miles and miles of arcades.
There is a small racetrack on the roof of the old Fiat plant at Lingotto, with a great view of the city. Also note the bubble-shaped conference room by noted architect Renzo Piano.
Olympic Arch, and again a nice view of the Alps, from the roof of the Lingotto complex.
A curious piece from the National Automobile museum - note the "dog" created from exhaust pipes.
Worth remembering...
A rare pic of myself that I actually like!
The ingenious "slice of polenta" building, by the architect of the Mole... at its narrowest point, the house is just 70 cm wide!
How cute are these two lampposts in Parco del Valentino?
Via Garibaldi seems just about endless...
Garden scene in downtown.
Yes, Turin has Roman remnants, too.
Me trying to look cute, at the chic Lavazza museum - that's not gold, but espresso packs in the background.
Just a short walking distance from the city center, a (working) cloister overlooking the river Po.
Me again, trying to impersonate a painting by de Chirico.
Fake (but well faked) medieval village, dating from an 1884 exposition (which almost makes it authentically old)
Touching the well-worn finger of Columbus is supposed to bring good luck... as for me, I hope it brings me back to Turin sometime!
