Italy

Turin

The capital of the Alps

Capital of the Piedmont region, it is an important cultural and business centre in northern Italy. Italy's fourth most populous city with almost one million inhabitants, it is also known as "the capital of the Alps", given its location at the foot of this famous mountain range. The so-called "cradle of Italy" has also been considered the political centre of Europe for many years. It has the honour of being the first capital of Italy in 1861 and the residence of the Royal House of Savoy, which made it one of the most important cities in the region. A land full of artistic and cultural heritage and, above all, much history. Although it is not one of the largest cities in terms of area, the whole of Turin is full of places to discover.

Turín Cathedral: also known as "Il Duomo di Torino", it dates back to 1491 and is located in the historic centre. It is the only Renaissance church in the city. Inside the Baroque-style Royal Chapel, it houses the Shroud of Turin, a highly attractive historical object that arouses the curiosity of anyone who visits it. The Cathedral of Turin, also known as "II Duomo di Torino", is the only Renaissance style church in the city.

Piazza Castello: The heart of Turin's historic centre, it is home to two of the city's most emblematic buildings, the Royal Palace and Palazzo Madama. Until the 2000, this square was not pedestrianised and was used only by cars and the tram itself.

Royal Palace of Turin: together with the other Royal Residences, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 and was the most important of the residences of the Royal House of Savoy. Inside, it houses a large number of artistic collections that will not leave you unmoved.

Palazzo Madama: with two thousand years of history and located in Piazza Castello, this palace, which was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is a building steeped in history. Over the years, it has been used for different purposes, from royal residence, pontifical and religious use, to the current seat of the Municipal Museum of Ancient Art.

Piazza Vittorio Veneto: one of the liveliest areas of Turin. It is the venue for parties and meetings between visitors and locals. Despite being a place of celebration, during fascism, this important space was used for military meetings and official events.

Piazza Carlo Alberto - Palazzo Carignano: this palace, an example of Piedmontese Baroque architecture, is another of Turin's landmark buildings, recognised as one of the residences of the Royal House of Savoy and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is located in one of the city's most central squares and houses the National Museum of the Risorgimento.

Vittorio Emanuele I Bridge: another of the iconic constructions of the city of Turin. This, the first stone bridge in the city, was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is a must to take a walk across it at sunset to enjoy the magnificent views it offers.

Subalpina Gallery: this is one of the city's historic buildings and is full of shops. The architectural style of the gallery was inspired by the Parisian style, intended for bourgeois leisure, and it has sometimes been the setting for the filming of scenes of some movies such as "4 Flies in Grey Velvet" and "The Italian Job".

Piazza San Carlo: one of the most important and largest squares in Turin. It has been and is the site of many historical events as well as social events and celebrations of sporting triumphs. It is worth noting that it was not until 2006, on the occasion of the Winter Olympic Games in Turin, that the square was remodelled and pedestrianised.

The River Po: with its source in the Alps and its mouth near the south of Venice, this river with such a peculiar name flows through the city of Turin, making it even more attractive. It is considered the most important Italian river, and not in vain since, due to its location, its surroundings have been the scene of numerous historical, social and economic events.

Vitel tonné or vitello tonnato: this is a typical dish for Christmas and New Year's Eve. However, you can eat it all year round in restaurants in the Piedmont region. It is made with veal but the star ingredient is the sauce, to which capers can be added to enhance the flavour.

Agnolotti: Italy, pizza and pasta. But not just any kind. This variety of pasta is filled with meat (otherwise it would not be agnolotti) and they are very similar to ravioli although they vary in size and in the way they are prepared, with only a layer of dough in this case.

Tallarines ai funghi porcini or al tartufo: we are all familiar with tagliatelle, but in the Piedmont region of Turin, Risotto with spumante Piedmont is the region of risotto of all kinds, but one of the most famous and unique is this variety made with the sparkling wine of Italy, which gives the perfect touch to achieve the ideal dish.

Brasato al Barolo: this veal or beef dish is one of the most famous dishes in Piedmont. The star of this dish is the fact that it is roasted with Barolo red wine, one of the most famous wines of the area, which gives it a special flavour.

Panna cotta: although this dessert can be enjoyed anywhere in the world, it is true that eating it in the Piedmont region gives it an added bonus. It is similar in appearance to flan and is usually decorated with chocolate or red fruit.

Grissini (bread sticks): these breadsticks, so typical of Italian food, originate from Turin! These breadsticks, which have become famous all over the world, can be used both as an accompaniment to your dishes and on their own. You can't leave Italy without trying them. Barolo, Moscato d'Asti or Dolcetto are some of the most popular wines.

34 DOC and DOCG red and white wines: it's not surprising that many of the region's dishes are cooked with wine. The Piedmont region stands out for having a great variety of Denominations of Origin for its wines; there are two distinctions, Controlled Designation of Origin and Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin. There are 44 of the former and 12 of the latter in the region. All of them have their own special features and properties that you should try, although, like everything else, there are some that stand out: Barolo, Moscato d'Asti and Dolcetto are some of the most popular.

Official currency: Euro

Official language: Italian

Official time: in Italy the time is the same as in the Peninsular, one hour ahead of the Canary Islands.

Documentation needed: European Union residents can enter Italy with an identity card or passport, as long as it is valid.

Climate: summers are hot and humid, winters are very cold and partly cloudy all year round. During the year, the temperature generally varies from -1°C to 29°C and rarely drops below -4°C or rises above 32°C.

Turin has a large number of leisure and cultural activities to enjoy and visit. This is why the city itself provides tourists with certain tourist services that will make their trip much easier:

Turín+Piemonte Card: By purchasing this card (which you can buy at any tourist office) you will have free access to 200 sites of cultural importance, including museums, exhibitions, royal residences and even the most interesting castles and fortresses. This card will also give you discounts on the urban transport network as well as the possibility of bus tickets connecting Turin to the airport at a reduced price. All this can be purchased at the Turin Tourist Office.

La tua Prima Volta a Turín: guided tour of the city of Turin. With this tour you will get to know the city in depth with a local guide who, for two hours, will take you through all the most important areas of the Piedmontese capital. This tour is available on Saturday mornings in Italian, English and French.

Now that you know a little more about the history and life of Turin, the next step is to discover for yourself its essence and the wonderful secrets hidden in the cradle of Italy.