Turin—Torino in Italian—is a sophisticated city in northern Italy, nestled at the foot of the Alps and straddling the Po River.

🏛️ Why Turin is unforgettable:

  • Historic Capital: Once the first capital of unified Italy (1861–1865) and the longtime seat of the powerful House of Savoy.

  • Architectural Elegance: Famed for its Baroque boulevards, royal palaces, and arcaded squares like Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Castello.

  • Cultural Powerhouse: Home to the Egyptian Museum, Mole Antonelliana (National Cinema Museum), and the Shroud of Turin.

  • Industrial Legacy: Birthplace of FIAT and a major player in Italy’s automotive and design industries.

  • Gastronomic Delights: Known for gianduja chocolate, bicerin (a layered coffee drink), and refined Piedmontese cuisine.

Turin blends royal grandeur with modern creativity—perfect for lovers of history, art, and a good espresso under the porticoes.

🏺 From Taurini to Rome

  • Pre-Roman Era: Originally settled by the Taurini, a Celto-Ligurian tribe.

  • 218 BC: Hannibal famously destroyed the Taurini settlement during his march across the Alps.

  • 28 BC: The Romans founded Augusta Taurinorum, a military colony with a classic Roman grid layout. Remnants like the Porta Palatina and Roman theater still stand today.

🏰 Medieval Crossroads

  • 5th–10th Century: After Rome’s fall, Turin passed through Gothic, Lombard, and Frankish hands.

  • 940s: Became the Contea di Torino (County of Turin), ruled by the Arduinic dynasty.

  • 11th Century: Through marriage, the House of Savoy began its long association with the city.

👑 Capital of the Savoy Dynasty

  • 1563: Emmanuel Philibert moved the capital of the Duchy of Savoy to Turin, transforming it into a political and cultural hub.

  • 17th–18th Century: Architects like Guarini and Juvarra gave the city its Baroque elegance—Piazza San Carlo, Palazzo Reale, and Superga Basilica are just a few gems from this era.

🇮🇹 Cradle of Italian Unification

  • 1798–1814: Briefly under French rule during the Napoleonic Wars.

  • 1861: Turin became the first capital of unified Italy, a title it held until 1865. It was a hotbed of the Risorgimento, Italy’s unification movement, led by figures like Cavour.

🏭 Industrial Dynamo

  • Late 19th–20th Century: Turin became Italy’s industrial powerhouse, especially in automotive manufacturing. FIAT was founded here in 1899, turning the city into the “Detroit of Italy.”

  • WWII: Heavily bombed but also a center of anti-fascist resistance.

🏙️ Modern Metropolis

  • Post-War Boom: Massive migration from southern Italy fueled growth and urban expansion.

  • 2006: Hosted the Winter Olympics, showcasing its transformation into a modern, cosmopolitan city.

Turin today is a city of elegant arcades, royal palaces, cutting-edge design, and deep cultural roots—from the Shroud of Turin to the Mole Antonelliana.