Itinerary - Via Po - Browse
VIA POFrom via della Calce (Lime Street) to the Royal WalkUnder the dukedom of Carlo Emanuele II, in the second half of the 17th century, Amedeo di Castellamonte created Via Po. The street was built on the ancient via della Calce (Lime Street) so called because it led to the lime arrival port. Lime was transported along the river Po together with timber. The buildings of the street were built following a strict architectonical uniformity and all had porticoes. The porticoes, in case of rain, allowed the royal heads of the Savoy to stay dry, when they strolled on the left side of the street (turning their backs towards Piazza Castello); the right side was certainly... "vulgar"! When it was built, Via Po was defined "regina viarum" (queen of streets) because at that time it was the widest street in Turin. |
BECCARIA BETWEEN SCIENCE AND MAGICGianbattista Beccaria, professor of experimental physics, in 1772 set up a Franklin lightning-rod on the turret of the building at n°. 1 via Po, the first in Italy.People considered Beccaria not as a man of science but, rather, a magician, expert in cabbala; that's why a lot of people would stop him in the street asking him for lottery numbers!  |
THE ITALIAN RISORGIMENTO AT THE COFFEE HOUSEThe present Nazionale coffee-house, at the corner of via Po and via Accademia Albertina, was once the Columns coffeehouse (Caffe delle Colonne): in the bar there was a triangular column covered with mirrors. It was the meeting-place of the men who belonged to the Italian Risorgimento (a political movement struggling for the independence of Italy).Here in February 1848 Roberto D'Azeglio, brother to Massimo, standing on a table, read the outlines of the Statuto Albertino (the first example of the Italian Constitution). |
THE "COE" (PIGTAILS) AT FIORIO'SCaffe Fiorio, at n°. 8, via Po, was also called "Cafč dle coe" (coffee-house of the pigtails); the pigtails were the aristocrats who used to wear their long hair tied up and who attended this coffee-house.Here Cavour founded the Society of Whist, a card game that was very popular at that time. |
THE "MOLE"When history proves that the stars are right...The Mole Antonelliana (foto) stands under the sign of Sagittarius and, according to the stars is subject to unexpected events. The history of the building proves that astrology is right: the life of the Mole has been characterized by a series of unforeseen accidents. Some examples? Designed as a Jewish centre and temple, due to the very high costs it was taken over by the City Council. In 1953, it was struck by a violent thunderstorm that made the spire collapse; when it was rebuilt, the angel that once stood on the top was replaced with a star.Many works have been done since then to give it stability. |
UNIVERSITYHistory and legendary superstitionsThe first university of Turin was founded in 1403 by Ludovico D'Acaja. It was called "Studio" and was situated in the hall of a private house in via San Francesco d'Assisi on the corner with via Garibaldi. In the inner yard of the present University building, under the first floor open lodge, there is a brass plate reminding that right in Turin, in 1566, Erasmus of Rotterdam took his degree in theology.If you are a university student, never look at the top of the Mole: according to an urban superstition you may be in danger of not graduating! |
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