If you're in the north of Italy make sure you visit
Turin. Here's how to make the best of that trip with our essential Turin
guide.
From the Fiat factory and its famous robots to the
Turin shroud - the past meets the future in this fascinating Italian
city.
Turin is both a cultural centre and a business city, located in the
North of Italy. It is the capital of Piedmont region, which is located
on the Po River left bank, surrounded by Alpine Arch. This marvellous
city is often referred to as 'the Automobile Capital', 'the Subalpine
Capital' and 'the Capital of the Alps'. A mayor who is elected after
every four years governs Turin. The city is divided up into 10 municipal
districts. The city hosts the Lingotto building, which at one time was
the world's largest car factory. It now houses an art gallery, a hotel,
a shopping centre, a concert hall and a convention centre. The city has
numerous roadwork and rail sites, and also underpasses and flyovers.
One can get to Turin by plane using the modern international airport
that is located 15 km north of the city and named after Sandro Pertini,
Italy's former President, in Caselle town. The airport is connected to
the city by a motorway. The main carrier in the city is Alitalia, which
is Italy's flagship airline. The Malpensa airport is another affordable
cheaper flight service. There are two main railway stations, the Porta
Susa and the Porta Nuova. The Lingotto area also has a station. The
Porta Nuova station is usually dedicated to long-range and mid-range
trains. The Porta Susa station serves several local trains. It is
advisable to check in advance before travelling. When travelling in
Turin by car, note that the A4 connects Turin to Venice, Milan, the A5
joins Turin to Aosta, Ivrea, the A6 joins Turin to Fossano, Savona, Ceva,
the A21 joins Turin to Genoa, Alessandria and Asti, and the A32 joins
Turin to France via the long Fréjus tunnel.
Turin is also the home of the FIAT factory which produces the most
popular cars in Italy. It was made particularly famous in the film, The
Italian Job and latterly with it being the first car production line to
be operated entirely by robots.
There is also an efficient public transportation system of buses, trams
and rental taxis. It is good to note that hailing a taxi on the street
is not customary in Turin, call and they will respond instantly. The
major sights in Turin include the following. The Mole Antonelliana is
the city's best-known building. Its construction started in 1863 and
completed in 1888. Today it houses the National Cinema Museum. The
Palatine Towers stand among the most well preserved Roman remains. The
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is host to the Shroud of Turin, which
is an old linen cloth with a man's imprint believed to have covered
Jesus in the grave. Palazzo Reale was formerly a royal residence for
Madama Reale built in the seventeenth-century. The Museo Egizio contains
the most valued Egyptian treasures and antiquities, only second to the
Cairo Museum in the world.
While in Turin, also visit Superga for a beautiful view; walk on the
Roma Street from Piazza Castello to Porta Nuova Station and the Po
street to the Gran Madre Church and stop at the bridge to enjoy the
beautiful Po river. Take a break in one of the many historic cafes
located around, some as old as 135 years. For shopping, visit upscale
brands and cheap chains from the main railway station to Piazza Castello
if in Via Roma. Via Garibaldi is arguably Europe's longest shopping
street with bars and clothes. In Via Po, there are numerous clothes
stores and record shops. Via Pietro Micca hosts trendy clothes stores.
Books stores are also quite popular in Turin.
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