SUGGESTIONS FOR. YOUR SIGHT Unusual points of view

Among its landscapes, its squared streets, its austere buildings,Turin hides many secrets.Many are the unusual points of view from where to admire them in their beauty, looking upward, downwards, inside and inside yourself.

Look upward

Majestic mountains
Among the mountains, impossible not to catch the Monviso's snow capped top shining in the sunlight, 3,481 metres of majesty reaching up towards the sky whilst hugging the horizon.
The Monviso, "Vesulus" for the ancient Romans, from the slopes of which the Po springs, is a symbol, a challenge and a source of inspiration. Quintino Sella reached its top on August 12, 1862 and it was following that climb that the statesman had the idea of founding CAI - Italian Alpine Club. The fascination of this rock pyramid travelled overseas, indeed the Hollywood producers of Paramount elected it as their "trade mark"!
To the right of Monviso other tops can be admired, perhaps they aren't as famous but they are certainly not secondary for natural richness: the Rocciamelone (3538 m) and - slightly further - the Musinè recognisable by the cross standing on its top. It is an ideal destination to enjoy a day of trekking without going too far.At the far right, those with an expert eye will certainly be able to spot the Gran Paradiso (4061 m) hosting the homonymous National Park, on the border with Valle d'Aosta.

Sinuous hills
Shifting your glance from the mountains to the sinuous shapes of the hills, you feel an invitation to abandon yourself to the relaxing greenery of the vegetation that has so strongly inspired writers and poets.
"The hills above were beautiful when returning, smoking the pipe, and although it was June, at that time of day they were still veiled with humidity, fresh breath from the roots" wrote Cesare Pavese about the hills surrounding Turin in one of his most fascinating novels: "Il diavolo sulle colline" (The devil on the hills).
Among the rolling hills, the elegance and imposing Basilica di Superga (foto), stands out. Definitely a masterpiece designed by the genius of baroque Filippo Juvarra. And also the Monte dei Cappuccini (foto) emerges, proud in its solitude. It is a favourite destination for those summer evenings in which one escapes the noise and the crowds by searching for a hermitic and bucolic place.

Outstanding monuments
Walking around the old city centre quarters, and leaving behind the protection offered by the porticoes, looking upwards you are struck by the succession of historical buildings and palaces, engraved cornerstones, flower filled balconies and curious little windows on the attics, originally inhabited by rich families' servants.
Above all the Mole Antonelliana (foto), whose dome is decorated by a series of red light numbers that may seem a thermometer but, instead, are tied to a mathematical secret. Indeed, they are the creation of Turin's artist Mario Merz, inspired by the "Fibonacci series" and titled, not by chance, "Il volo dei numeri" (The flight of numbers). Naturally, they are part of the "Luci d'artista" (Artist lights) project that illuminates the city with its many odd creations.
From corso Francia - the longest boulevard in Europe! - looking towards its western end, quite hard to see, you can make out the hill on which Rivoli Castle stands. In this corner, where hills and mountains seem to join together, the sky at sunset contributes to the landscape's magic with pink and orange brush strokes, fading in the clouds' vapour. A perfect picture to elegantly close a day passed in the sun's company.
So night is born. The magic "sky of Turin" reveals new aspects and looking up you might find new perspectives. Best of all if you decide to look from the hill where the new and modern city planetarium is located (www.planetarioditorino.it). Here the planetarium and the observatory are placed side by side offering viewers, dreamers, scientists, a star light view that illuminates Turin in an unusual way.

Look downwards

The best terrace to admire the city in its wholeness is at 715 metres above sea level, on the Colle della Maddalena. It is the highest among Turin's hills: the best way to enjoy the full view is to sit on a bench beneath the "Faro della Vittoria" (Victory beacon). Having the entire city at one's feet gives the impression of being able to keep every single corner under control.
Observing them from here, the aristocratic buildings look majestic and elegant.Try this game: recognise the city's monuments by their shapes: from Palazzo Reale (foto) to the Valentino Castle (foto). Another breath taking panoramic spot, not recommended for those suffering from vertigo, can be reached bytaking the lift inside the Mole Antonelliana (foto): on the top terrace you can observe the entire city from its very heart.
Those university students susceptible to the legend by which the Mole is a place to avoid at all costs before graduation, content themselves with the top floors of the nearby Palazzo Nuovo (New Palace): the panorama from the fifth floor library is guaranteed!
And again the Monte dei Cappuccini, reachable on foot from piazza Vittorio, offers a magnificent view of the city and its hill parks: Parco di San Vito (strada San Vito 185), Parco Leopardi (corso Moncalieri 147), Parco Europa (Cavoretto)...
Also not to be missed is the view from the Basilica di Superga (foto), aligned with Turin's Palazzo Reale (foto) and Rivoli's Castle.

Look inside

Never stop in front of doors, gates, signs and shutters: go inside it is the only way to fully taste the city that, within its imposing buildings, hides fascinating secrets. An example? In the central via Po, more precisely inside the courtyard of the Turin University palace, you can meet busy students,annoyed by the length of queues in the administrative offices, rather indifferent to the architectural structure and sober proportions of the building... that probably only tourists really admire! And along the same street, going past the magnificent portal of the Counts Prunas-Tola Palace (via Po 39), from inside the courtyard you can observe the Mole from a special angle.
The most surprising discovery, however, lies behind via Po, in via Verdi: entering the Cavallerizza Reale you have the impression of being inside a country village. Observe each courtyard carefully because its details will remain impressed forever in your memory. The trick is always the same: every doorstep, a new wonder.
The noble palaces offer elegant courtyards, the more popular buildings fascinating running balconies. Still in via Po, you can find the historical Caffè Fiorio: given that prices are geared to the wealthy, with a bit of courage you can enter just for a cup of coffee.The same holds for the Caffè Baratti, inside the elegant Galleria Subalpina (Sub-alpine Gallery) (foto) connecting piazza Castello and piazza Carlo Alberto. Such a calm reigns there that - when walking through it - people spontaneously start to whisper.
Similarly, the San Federico Gallery, connecting piazza San Carlo and via Roma, offers the same peace and quiet, and the luxurious cafés and restaurants all seem impassable to the passage of time. Gallery Umberto I (foto) in Porta Palazzo has a more decadent attractiveness and is actually a bit frightening.
To enter the city further, it is possible to visit all that lies underneath: underground Turin extends at no less than fifteen metres below ground level and encompasses tunnels, anti air raid shelters, ice houses once used as refrigerators for the Porta Palazzo open air market and alchemy grottoes.
A parallel life revealing segments of the past that appears at times mysterious and disquieting.
Info on tours available from the city's tourist offices (tel. 011/535181).

Look inside yourself

Wandering around Turin, the best place for looking inside yourself, whilst continuing to enjoy the city, is the Po riverbank inside the Valentino park. The entire area flourishes in greenery and has some especially cared for corners like the "Giardino roccioso" (Rock garden). Walking along the main paths, at times you're lucky enough to catch glimpses of rather magnificent views: the river and the surrounding hills offer such a romantic setting that the park is traditionally a lovers' meeting place! Whilst in the park it is worth exploring the Borgo Medievale (foto). Many believe it to be a real remnant of the past but it was actually built in 1884 as a picturesque complex faithfully reproducing Piedmontese and Val d'Aosta castles. It is an enchanted place and once you set foot in it, you get lost in observing every detail and you're moved by being able to touch what you can usually only read about or see in paintings.
Another pearl of peace and tranquillity are the Cavour Gardens behind via Po which, together with the homonymous square, offer an unexpected oasis of quiet and greenery within the orderly reticular streets of the town centre. Ideal destination at lunchtime to avoid the crowded cafés and quietly enjoy a good sandwich. Many central squares offer spaces suitable for meditation: for example, piazza Maria Teresa, piazza Carlina, piazza Bodoni, piazza IV Marzo and piazza Palazzo di Città, as well as the Giardini Reali (Royal Gardens), right behind piazza Castello.
Just outside the centre the parco della Tesoriera, on corso Francia has a lot to offer visitors seeking to rest their minds. The huge fountain at the main entrance immediately offers a cascade of relaxing notes, thus covering the sound of car engines, whilst the trees and lawns brighten the view hazed by the grey cement buildings. The Villa at the park's centre hosts a music and dance Library: never too full, quiet, luminous and welcoming, it is the ideal place for students who dislike the always-overcrowded study rooms.
Having aired your brain, you can regenerate your body at the Pellerina park.With its 900,000 square metres it is an ideal destination for joggers and sport lovers: the park offers several football fields, tennis fields, an open air swimming pool and a roller skating ring.
The surrounding hills also offer plenty of green areas in which to relax.Additionally, there are spaces and spectacular terraces overlooking the city and the Alps - as well as more refined and private areas like the ancient villas, the so-called "Vigne" (Vineyards).
Other destinations for day outings are the Savoy usual Residenze di Caccia (Hunting Residences) like the Mandria park, just a few kilometres from the city, inhabited by squirrels and quite well organised for a day tour.
For peace lovers, an absolute must is waking at dawn to enjoy the city before shops and offices open and to appreciate the difference with the rush hour. Strolling along empty streets that during the day are always crowded offers really strong sensations. Indeed, we aren't used to the idea of a sleeping city.
For night lovers, Turin's lights are a precious source of inspiration between midnight and dawn.