Itinerary - Piazza San Carlo - Browse
THE BULL IN PIAZZA SAN CARLOOn the square's pavement, under the porticoes right in front of "Caffè Torino", there is the famous bronze bull, the city symbol. It is not famous only for what it represents, but also for its testicles: indeed, trying to pass unnoticed, locals tread exactly on that part, which is said to bring good luck... come on, you can do it, too! |
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IL CAMBIO AND CAVOURApproaching piazza Carignano you'll certainly notice the old sign above "Il Cambio" restaurant. However, eating there might be very expensive: it is the most prestigious restaurant in town. Cavour would always have lunch there and, when it was time for Parliament (foto) to resume its meetings, an usher would go and call him. Today they would have done the same... in fact on the menu guests are asked to switch off their mobiles, so that the risotto can turn out creamy. |
COURT INTRIGUESIn 1666, the Marquis Fleury lived in piazza S. Carlo, in the palace with the same name. He was in love with a marchioness who was suited also by duke Carlo Emanuele. The affair was discovered by his footman, Cornavin, who wanted to inform the duke but, not having found him, revealed everything to the first page. The latter chose not to tell Carlo Emanuele not to sadden him,but he spoke to the two lovers who decided to prevent the unreliable footman from speaking. A few days later, three fishermen found a man's body in the Stura river: it was poor Cornavin. The duke became suspicious and ultimately discovered the instigator of the murder. Fleury was sentenced to life imprisonment and exiled from the crown's territories... thus becoming a romantic adventurer. |
NIETZSCHE'S SEVERE TURINNietzsche spent some time in Turin; he lived at no. 6, piazza Carlo Alberto on the third floor. A tablet, placed on the building's corner, depicts his profile. The philosopher often names Turin in his works using very positive terms and defining it a "dignified, severe city".TURIN'S INDIANSThe first floor window decorations of Palazzo Carignano (foto) represent some Indian chiefs. Indeed, the Savoy princes were active protagonists in the 17th century wars against American Indians. |
 THE "TWIN" CHURCHESPerhaps not everyone knows why on the square's southern side there are two adjacent churches. Simple: the one on the right, dedicated to Saint Cristina (foto), was reserved to the wealthier families of the area, while the other, dedicated to Saint Carlo, was destined to local family servants and, for this reason, the mass was celebrated only at dawn, before they had to start work. |
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