Itinerary - Piazza San Carlo - Look
"LE VASCHE": TURIN IS ALWAYS ON THE MOVE...
The "vasche"(strolling up and down the main city street): take place here; it's a Tu-rinese "sport" that every Saturday afternoon makes many young people, strolling up and down via Roma, piazza San Carlo and via Lagrange, compete with each other. Are they the testimonials of the slogan "Turin is always on the move"? PALAZZO CARIGNANO AND THE ITALIAN RISORGIMENTO MUSEUMSymbol of the Turinese baroque for its curved façade designed by Guarini, inside it has a splendid late 17th century structure (the Midday and Midnight apartments) and restored rooms previously belonging to the Savoys (Carlo Alberto's study, the bed in which Vittorio Emanuele II was born...). The façade overlooking piazza Carlo Alberto was designed by Bollati and Ferri, who restored it when it was to become the seat of the Sub-Alpine Parliament (the first after Italy's unification). From here the entrance to the Risorgimento Museum, which since 1878 has illustrated the history of the Italian unification; Cavour's study and many original documents that belonged to Garibaldi are preserved here. Remember to visit the Houses of the Sub Alpine Parliament, later on the Italian Parliament. (foto)Via Accademia delle Scienze, 5 Tel. 011/5621147 |
PIAZZA SAN CARLONot just the "salon" of the city - in fact many prestigious literary cafés flourished here - but also the originally so-called "royal square" for its structure similar to the one of the famous and elegant "places royales" of Henry IV. Built in the 17th century by Carlo di Castellamonte and redesigned by Benedetto Alfieri around the middle of the 18th century, it has always hosted official events. Palazzo Solaro del Borgo, at no.183, maintains the marks of the original project.At the centre the monument to Emanuele Filiberto,"caval'd brôns" (bronze horse) (foto), by Carlo Marocchetti.SAINT CARLO BORROMEO'S CHURCHBuilt by order of Duke Carlo Emanuele I in honour of Milan's Archbishop, whom he had met in his youth. The high altar dates back to 1653, whilst the façade was built by Ferdinando Caronesi in 1834 on the model of the adjacent S. Cristina's church. (foto)Piazza San Carlo |
THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUMHoused in the "Accademia delle Scienze" (Science Academy) building, it is the second most important in the world (the first being the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, of course). The collection boasts important relics from the Queen Valley: wall paintings, sarcophaguses, mummies, funerary equipment and objects used in daily life,papyruses and jewels...To have a really complete picture of this ancient civilisation with relics dating back to 3.500 B.C.Opening hours: tue-sun 8.30 AM - 7.30 PM Via Accademia delle Scienze, 6 Tel. 011/5617776 SAINT CRISTINA'S CHURCHThe church is dedicated to Maria Cristina of France. Filippo Juvarra (1715-18) designed the double row curved façade and the oval window. (foto)Piazza San Carlo |
PIAZZA CARLO FELICEWalking along via Roma, you'll end up in this square, right opposite Porta Nuova Station. Its design goes back to 1822 within the project extending the city southwards. The entrance onto via Roma is inspired by Neoclassical architecture whilst the buildings are an example of Eclecticism with some traits recalling the Tuscan art of the 15th century. Many important personalities left their mark: from Promis, who designed the square, and Deschamps, who designed the central garden in 1861, to Pavese, who committed suicide at Hotel Roma, and Luzzati, who chose the square as the setting for his Nativity. |
PIAZZA CARLO ALBERTOThe imposing rear façade of the first Italian Parliament overlooks the area once occupied by Palazzo Carignano garden. In the centre, the equestrian monument to Carlo Alberto created by Marocchetti.THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARYIts majestic façade is what remains of the ancient stables of Carignano Palace. Founded in 1723, it hosts a significant book heritage: 1,000,000 titles, among which 1,602 incunabula, 10,063 books published in the 16th century and 29,000 manuscripts.Piazza Carlo Alberto, 3 Tel.011/8101111 |
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TEATRO CARIGNANOThe gold "trincotto" - here people used to play real tennis - began as a theatre for acrobats, equilibrists and puppets. This 18th century theatre, is a blaze of red velvets, stuccoes and carved wood.Its recent renovations have enhanced its splendour, restored the original parts and modernized the mechanical or architectural elements. The performances are great, but the theatre itself is worth a visit.Piazza Carignano, 5 |
VIA ROMAOnce called "Contrada Nuova"(New Quarter), it followed the 17th century project by Castellamonte. Via Roma was rebuilt around the 1930s along the lines of an "18th century" style design.The buildings offer an interesting example of Rationalistic architecture. |
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