Discover Turin: Art, History and Piedmontese Culinary Culture

Turin can be discovered on many levels: through royal residences, important museums, historic theaters, spacious parks and the culinary traditions of Piedmont.

Art and History in Turin

The Galleria Sabauda displays more than 500 works from the dynastic collections of the House of Savoy and spans European art from the 14th to the 20th century. Another key address is the Museo Egizio, the oldest museum in the world devoted entirely to Egyptian culture. The collection assembled by Bernardino Drovetti led to the founding of the Museo Egizio in 1824.

The history of the House of Savoy also shapes the cityscape. The UNESCO World Heritage site Residences of the Royal House of Savoy includes eleven components in the center of Turin. The Basilica di Superga contains visitable underground tombs of the Savoy dynasty. At the same time, the basilica offers a viewpoint overlooking Turin and the Alpine arc.

Palazzo Madama combines a museum of the city and the Piedmontese region with a museum of decorative arts from all eras and regions. Its ceramics collection comprises more than 4,000 pieces and is considered one of the most important in Italy. The Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano preserves paintings, drawings, sculptures and textile collections containing uniforms and flags.

Architecture, Theaters and Unusual Insights

The Mole Antonelliana was originally designed as a synagogue. It can be climbed on foot via the stairs inside the dome to the panoramic terrace. Those interested in theater and architectural history can explore the foyer, auditorium, stage, underground rehearsal rooms and costume workshop on guided tours of the Teatro Regio. The Teatro Regio opened on December 26, 1740, with Francesco Feo’s opera Arsace; the present building opened on April 10, 1973, with Giuseppe Verdi’s opera I Vespri siciliani.

The Museo Civico Pietro Micca displays models, prints, weapons and memorabilia from the respective period. A visit includes an underground route through the counter-mine galleries of the Mezzaluna del Soccorso.

The Museo di Antropologia Criminale, the Castello del Valentino as a palace, the GAM Galleria d’Arte Moderna as a museum and the Museo del Carcere LE NUOVE as a museum are also located in the immediate vicinity of Turin. These places broaden the cultural spectrum beyond the major collections and well-known landmarks.

Parks and Paths along the Po

Parco del Valentino lies on the left bank of the Po and faces the hills of Turin. It offers cycling paths, walking trails and opportunities for sports and relaxation. The Borgo Medievale in the park was created as a reconstruction for the Italian General Exhibition of 1884. This allows you to combine the park with different interests when planning your day: exercise, time in green surroundings and a cultural and historical visit all belong to the same thematic area.

Several gardens in the immediate vicinity of Turin also have their own distinctive character: the Giardino Cesare Valperga di Masino, the Giardino Simon Wiesenthal, the Giardino San Paolo and the Giardino Sambuy. Anyone wishing to plan intentional breaks between museum visits can consider these gardens as additional destinations in the surrounding area.

Turin’s Coffee and Market Traditions

Piedmontese culinary culture is also part of the local urban experience. Caffè Al Bicerin was founded in 1763 and has preserved its original furnishings. It is associated with the traditional Turin drink Bicerin, which originated there. Museo Carpano traces the history of Italian vermouth from 1786, when Benedetto Carpano patented the drink. Tours are offered in Italian and English; tasting experiences are possible by arrangement. A visit to Guido Gobino ends with a tasting.

Mercato di Porta Palazzo is considered Europe’s largest open-air market and covers an area of 51,300 m².

Other Places around Turin

Bardonecchia, Casalborgone, Cavallo, Mazzè, Dubbione Di Pinasca, Piossasco, Sauze D'oulx, Sestriere, Usseaux, Turin, Volpiano, Vigone, Susa, Scarmagno, San Mauro Torinese, San Giusto Canavese, San Giorgio Canavese, Sangano, San Francesco Al Campo, Ruà, Rondissone, Romano Canavese, Rivoli, Rivarolo Canavese, Rivalta Di Torino, Pinerolo, Marentino, Pavone Canavese, Oulx, Nichelino, Moncalieri, Ivrea, Grugliasco, Giaveno, Druento, Collegno, Claviere, Ciriè, Chivasso, Chieri, Castagneto Po, Caselle Torinese, Carmagnola, Candiolo, Caluso, Borgaro Torinese, Beinasco, Avigliana, Val Della Torre, Banchette, Bruzolo, Cesana Torinese, Verrua Savoia, Villafranca Piemonte, Cuorgnè, Arborea, Settimo Torinese, Monti, Cambiano, Alpignano, Trofarello, Pino Torinese, Colleretto Giacosa, Gravere, Carignano, Garibaldi, Sant'anna, Sauze Di Cesana, None Turin, Torre Pellice, Cavour, Sciolze, Chiaverano, Rosta, Fiano, Pecetto, Pragelato, Torre, Albiano D’ivrea, Candia Canavese, Salbertrand, Pralormo, Mathi, Lombardore, Bobbio Pellice, San Maurizio Canavese, Chiesanuova, Robassomero, San Raffaele, Brusasco, Venaria Reale, Caprie, Gassino Torinese, Montanaro, Fenestrelle, Isolabella, Balangero, Piverone, Pianezza, Roure, Orbassano, Montaldo Torinese, Villar Perosa, Cumiana, Barbania, Sant'Antonino Di Susa, Villar Pellice, Lanzo Torinese, Exilles, Torre Canavese, Loranzè, Buriasco, Cantalupa, Poirino, Valprato Soana, Busano, Airasca, Brosso, San Benigno Canavese, Montalto Dora, Ceres, Caselette, Carella, Beaulard, Ala Di Stura, Alpette, San Sicario Alto, Chiomonte, Locana, Coazze, Prali, Usseglio, Viù, Rubiana, Parella, Moncenisio, Settimo Vittone, Perosa Argentina, Cuceglio, Maglione, San Gillio, Noasca, La Loggia, Foglizzo, Villar Focchiardo, Villareggia, Vinovo, Cebrosa, Nole, Bussoleno, Ceresole Reale, San Giorio, Campiglia Soana, Agliè, Azeglio, Eremo, Stazione, Front, Borgofranco D'ivrea, San Secondo Di Pinerolo, Piobesi Torinese, Quincinetto, Traversella, Pomaretto, Montalenghe, Baldissero Torinese, Coassolo, Borgone Susa, Pont Canavese, Vacci, Airali, Alice Superiore, Almese, Bibiana, Pavarolo, Piamprato, Maddalena, Sparone, San Giuseppe, Valgioie, Balme, Vistrorio, Monfol, Corio, Vico Canavese, Strambinello, Vestignè, Moriondo Torinese, Plan, Riva presso Chieri, San Didero, Bricherasio, Condove, Torrazza Piemonte, Buttigliera Alta, Castagnole Piemonte, Cinzano, Roletto, Didiero, Castellamonte, Meana di Susa, Rivalba, Vidracco, Salassa, Germagnano, Andezeno, Champlas Seguin, Rollieres, Palazzo Canavese, Frassinetto, Bruino, Arignano, San Pietro Val Lemina, Cervoto

For the higher-level travel overview: Piedmont.