Turin City of Art: Guide to Italy's First Capital

Turin, elegant Savoyard lady nestled at the foot of the Alps, welcomes you with its aristocratic charm and rich artistic heritage. First capital of the Kingdom of Italy, this extraordinary Piedmontese city preserves treasures of art and architecture that tell centuries of glorious history, from royal residences to world-famous museums, from historic cafés to artisan workshops that keep centuries-old traditions alive.

Walking through its wide porticoed avenues and monumental squares, you can still breathe the atmosphere of the Savoyard court, while your gaze wanders among baroque palaces, sumptuous churches and glimpses that seem painted. Turin is not just a destination for art lovers, but a complete sensory experience that combines history, culture and culinary tradition in an unforgettable embrace.

The Savoyard Royal Residences: UNESCO World Heritage

The Savoyard Royal Residences system represents one of Europe's most precious artistic heritages. The Royal Palace, beating heart of the Savoyard monarchy, will amaze you with its richly decorated Royal Apartments, the Royal Armory with one of the world's most important collections of ancient weapons, and the Sabauda Gallery which houses masterpieces by Van Dyck, Veronese and many other masters.

Nearby, Palazzo Madama tells two thousand years of Turin's history through its stratified architecture: from ancient Roman gates to Juvarra's baroque façade, passing through the medieval castle. Today it houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art with collections ranging from decorative arts to ceramics, from gold to precious fabrics.

Castello del Valentino and Villa della Regina

The Castello del Valentino, magnificent example of French baroque architecture in Italy, reflects in the Po waters with its elegant façade and terraced gardens. Home to the Faculty of Architecture, it still preserves intact the first-floor apartments with frescoes and original 17th-century decorations.

Villa della Regina, called so because it was the residence of the Savoyard queens, will enchant you with its Italian gardens and breathtaking view over the city. Recently restored, it represents a jewel of baroque landscape art.

Turin's Great Museums

Turin boasts one of Italy's richest museum concentrations. The Egyptian Museum, second only to Cairo's in importance, will take you on a fascinating journey into pharaonic civilization. With over 40,000 artifacts, including the tomb of Kha and Merit and the papyri of the Book of the Dead, it represents a unique experience in the world.

The Cinema Museum, housed in the iconic Mole Antonelliana, celebrates the seventh art through an innovative exhibition path that winds along the floors of Turin's symbolic tower. The panoramic elevator will take you 85 meters high to admire an unforgettable panorama of the city and the Alps.

GAM and Palazzo Grassi

The Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art (GAM) houses one of the most important collections of modern Italian art, with works ranging from the 19th century to today. Here you can admire masterpieces by Fontana, Burri, Arte Povera and much more.

Palazzo Grassi and other exhibition spaces complete a cultural offering that makes Turin one of Europe's artistic capitals.

Architecture and Urban Planning: the Savoyard imprint

Turin's urban planning bears the indelible signature of Savoyard ambition. Via Roma, with its elegant porticoes and luxury boutiques, connects Piazza Castello to Piazza Carlo Felice in a triumph of baroque symmetry. The porticoes, distinctive feature of the city with their 18 kilometers of extension, offer shelter and create suggestive architectural perspectives.

Piazza Castello, political and social heart of the city, is surrounded by historic palaces and dominated by the Mole Antonelliana that stands out in the urban panorama. Piazza San Carlo, Turin's "living room," will welcome you with its perfect architectural harmony and historic cafés that made the city's history.

Historic Churches

The Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista, only example of Renaissance architecture in the city, houses the Shroud and features Guarini's extraordinary Chapel of the Shroud (currently under restoration). The Basilica of Superga, Juvarra's masterpiece, dominates the homonymous hill and offers a spectacular view of the city and the Alpine arc.

The Church of Gran Madre di Dio, inspired by the Roman Pantheon, welcomes visitors at the entrance of the Vittorio Emanuele I bridge with its imposing neoclassical façade.

Turin Traditions and Culture

Turin is the homeland of bicerin, the hot drink made with coffee, chocolate and cream that you can taste in the historic cafés of the center. At Caffè Fiorio, Baratti & Milano or San Carlo, you'll breathe the Belle Époque atmosphere among mirrors, gilding and period furnishings.

Turin's confectionery tradition boasts excellences like gianduiotti, baci di dama and torrone. The historic chocolateries and confectioneries of the center jealously guard century-old recipes passed down from generation to generation.

Craftsmanship and Historic Shops

In the Quadrilatero Romano, the city's oldest district, artisan workshops survive that keep centuries-old traditions alive: restorers, antiquarians, bookbinders and goldsmiths still work according to methods passed down through the centuries.

The historic markets like Porta Palazzo, one of Europe's largest, offer an authentic experience among local products, ethnic specialties and the vibrant energy of multicultural Turin.

Cultural Events and Manifestations

Turin is a city of great cultural events. The International Book Fair, one of Europe's most important, transforms the city into a great open-air bookstore. Artissima, international contemporary art fair, attracts collectors and enthusiasts from around the world.

Throughout the year, music, theater and cinema festivals animate squares and historic theaters, while the Artist Lights during the Christmas period transform the city into an open-air contemporary light art museum.

Practical Tips for Visiting Turin

To best visit Turin city of art, we recommend purchasing the Torino+Piemonte Card which offers free entry to museums and royal residences, plus discounts on transport and restaurants. The city can be comfortably visited on foot or using the efficient public transport network.

• Best period: spring and autumn for mild climate, winter for the magical atmosphere of Artist Lights
• Recommended duration: at least 3-4 days to visit the main museums and residences
• Panoramic points: Mole Antonelliana, Basilica of Superga, Monte dei Cappuccini
• Gastronomic stops: historic cafés in the center, restaurants in Quadrilatero Romano

Turin awaits you with its discreet elegance and artistic treasures, ready to tell you the glorious history of a city that has been able to reinvent itself while keeping its noble soul intact. Come discover why this extraordinary Piedmontese city continues to conquer the hearts of visitors from around the world, confirming itself as one of Italy's most fascinating cultural destinations.