Things to do in Turin, Italy

by Ankur Raven Seo Executive

“Turin is a city which entices a writer towards vigor, linearity, style. It encourages logic, and through logic, it opens the way towards madness.” – Italo Calvino

Turin has been a major economic and cultural center for Italy for many years and is also the city that served as the first capital of the country. Turin is now the capital of the Piedmont region and is known to sit on the river Po. It is located in the northwesterly part of Italy. Turin city’s town side has a total population of about 892,000, and it is estimated that its greater metropolitan area has about 2.2 million inhabitants.

Now let us explore the best things to do in Turin, Italy

1. Palazzo Madama

Packed with extravagant palaces and historical buildings, Turin is considered a true piece of work. The Palazzo Madama here is located in the Piazza Castello. This original palace was created in the first century BC and was modified and built upon heavily during the subsequent years of the Roman Empire. It has stood for hundreds of years during that time. The palace stands in the Castello square and its front façade features a palisade decked with sculptures and a row of ornate columns. You can walk up the stairways inside the palace which are richly decorated and admire the sublime decadence of the various hallways and rooms.

2. Turin Egyptian Museum

Located between the Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo in the center of Turin, this is a highly informative and fantastic museum. It is dedicated to ancient Egyptian history and archaeology and is considered a dream for the history buffs. It also contains a huge amount of artifacts.

This museum was created in 1833. The original collection here has expanded greatly over the years and was initially imported from other museums. Some notable items inside are Seti II and Ramesses, the various statues of Sekhmet, scripts of detailed Papyrus full of hieroglyphics, a Sarcophagus of Ibi, different earthenware jugs of everyday use, and many more.

3. Palazzo Reale

The Piazza Castello of Turin is a Royal Palace and a magnificent structure that was created in the 16th century. The Palace holds a central position in Turin and is known to reside in the Piazza Castello. Over the years, it has stood as a symbol of power. A simple design was chosen for this structure. That included a central courtyard and a square layout.

The front façade of the former features a number of small ornate windows and white stonework which give a feeling that it is official and stately. Inside it, you will find a myriad of richly decorated rooms. These rooms have an elegance and style just like you would expect from the Royal Palace of Italy.

4. Turin Shroud

As most people have, I think you too may have heard of this extremely hallowed and significant religious artifact. And you know what this religious artifact is? It’s a piece of cloth which is supposedly believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth.

It also bears his image. Many theologians, scientists, and scholars have debated the origin and identity of the shroud over the years, but no conclusive story has arisen. The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist has a royal chapel which in itself is an ornate and hugely interesting building. It houses the shroud.

5. Mole Antonelliana

The Mole Antonelliana is possibly the most distinctive building in the whole of Turin. The huge pointed basilica it has is considered an icon in the city and it towers above the surrounding skyline. The word ‘Mole’ in Italian means a monumental building and this particular structure, although it looks much older, was created in 1889.

The building was originally a Jewish Synagogue and is now known to house the National Cinema Museum. And you know what else? It is actually the tallest museum in the world. Your Trip to Turin will remain incomplete if you don’t get to see the Antonelliana and the museum that is held within it.

6. Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista

The Duomo di Torino is built on the site of three previous churches and stands as a fine example of Renaissance architecture created in 1491. This church is dedicated to the patron saint of Turin – Giovanni Battista and is located next to the Royal Palace.

The front façade is simple but effective and is created from white marble. The inviting steps are known to thrust out into the Piazza San Giovanni. There is a myriad of design inside the cathedral that features incredible marble statues of famous figures of religion and some fantastic frescos.

There is a free-standing and unconnected bell tower that actually stands next to the cathedral. You can climb this tower for unbelievable views of the Turin city.

Happy with our list or is there something else you want to add? Let us know in the comments. J