Who of us, even if not a die-hard football fan, has not heard the names Juventus or Torino FC? Apart from football clubs, you probably know the Shroud of Turin or the Fiat factory. Located in the foothills of the Western Alps, this city has many monuments worth visiting, an ideal offer for skiers and an interesting calendar of events.

QUESTIONNAIRE
QUESTIONNAIRE

Most famous for: Fiat factory.

A breakthrough moment in history: The years 1861-1865, when the city became the first capital of the United Italy, playing an important role in the unification of Italy.

Most famous historical monuments: Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Carignano (the first parliament of the United Italy), Basilica of Superga

Most interesting architectural styles: Baroque style.

One definitely needs to: See the la Mole Antonelliana (The National Museum of Cinema)

Something for gourmets: To fully enjoy the taste of traditional Italian chocolates, visit one of the historic cafés, such as Al Bicerin.

A place for a walk: la Reggia di Veneria Reale, royal residence and gardens.

Off the beaten track: The hunting residence in Stupinigi.

Famous citizens: Umberto Eco, Salvador Luria, Vittorio Emanuele II

Culture and art

Turin is, above all, associated with unusual palaces, such as the Palazzo Reale of the Savoy family, as well as many Baroque tenements and churches. When in Turin, it is worth to visit the two world-famous museums, namely the Egyptian Museum (the second largest in terms of Egyptian art and culture) and the National Museum of Cinema, which is located in the famous la Mole Antonelliana. It is also worth to go off the beaten track and to visit the Automobile Museum, founded by Cesare Goria Gatti (chairman of the Turin Automobile Club) and Roberto Biscaretti di Ruffia (one of the founders of the Fiat company). The museum was officially opened on November 3, 1960. It houses car models that have been in production since the 19th century up to this day. The Automobile Museum has embedded itself in the architecture of the city and become a place of meetings and recreation for the inhabitants of Turin.

The Milky Way

Winter sports enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to indulge in winter frenzy. Among the wide offer of the Piedmont region, two areas are worth paying particular attention to: Via Lattea and Prato Nevoso. Via Lattea or the Milky Way, is the third largest ski area in Italy. Some of the 20th Turin Winter Olympic Games competitions were taking place there in 2006. The Milky Way consists of seven different ski resorts with over 400 km of pistes. All of them are connected by lifts and paths which are suitably adapted even for the most demanding tourists. One of the advantages of the Milky Way is that its pistes are far less crowded than in other regions of the Alps. Moreover, they were prepared for people with various levels of experience, from beginners to very advanced skiers.

The Maritime Alps

On the other hand, Prato Nevoso is a resort located in the Maritime Alps. It starts in the village of Prato Nevoso at 1500 m above sea level, and ends at the top of Monte Mondolé at the altitude of 2300 m. Skiers can choose from over 130 km of ski slopes, which are artificially snowed if necessary. Prato Nevoso is a resort open 24 hours a day with two lit ski slopes, which allow the biggest fans of winter frenzy to ski at night. It has a ski jumping hill, numerous ski schools, as well as an amusement park with attractions for the whole family.

The city of events

There is a lot going on in Turin. It is impossible to get bored in this city as various festivals take place throughout the year. It is worth mentioning the one that has been permanently marked in the calendar of events in Turin: Torino Film Festival, an international festival of independent cinema, taking place at the turn of November and December. It is the second largest film festival in Italy. Moreover, there are many concerts organized in the city, with the most important being Traffic Torino Free Festival and MITO Settembre Musica. Furthermore, from November to January, the city is brightened up by illuminations made by contemporary artists as part of the Luci d’artista event.

Chocolate festival

Every year, in November, the Chocolate Festival takes place in Turin for 10 days. It is not only a traditional fiera (fair), where you can buy and taste all kinds of sweets, but also an event related to chocolate with more than a hundred didactic laboratories, conferences and shows. The most characteristic chocolate products are Gianduiotto, Turin nut chocolates. It is also worth trying Le vie del cioccolato – guided tours through sweet specialties (you will need to buy a Choco Pass in order to take part in them). Connoisseurs of international cuisine should plan their visit to Turin during the il Salone Internazionale del Gusto, an international event promoting the culture of food and cuisine from different parts of the world.

Choose a metro system or bus

When visiting Turin or going skiing there, one should consider if taking a car is necessary. Turin has a very wellconnected transportation system with a metro system and numerous tram and bus lines. It will be easier to use public transport than to look for parking spaces (which are not cheap in the city) or to drive alongside Italian drivers.

SPECIAL MARKS
SPECIAL MARKS

THE SHROUD OF TURIN can be seen once every 25 years, on June 24 – on St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city.

VIA ROMA One of the most beautiful streets in Turin, which is considered the most representative in the city.

THE CAPITAL OF PIEDMONT The city is located among hills, parks and valleys of four rivers.