Turin Attractions

The Motor Museum (Museo dell'Automobile Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia), opened in 1960, provides a comprehensive survey of the development of the motor car, with many veteran and vintage cars.

Southwest of the Monte dei Cappuccini, beyond the Ponte Umberto I, is the large Parco del Valentino on the left bank of the Po, together with the Botanic Gardens (established 1729) and the fine Renaissance Castello del Valentino (1630-60). Towards the south end of the park stands the impressive equestrian statue of Duke Amadeo of Aosta (king of Spain 1870-73), erected in 1902.

On the banks of the Po, are the Borgo and Castello Medioevale, a medieval village and castle built for an exhibition in 1884.

From Piazza Vittorio Veneto the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele I crosses the Po to the church of the Grande Madre di Dio (1818-31), which was modeled on the Pantheon in Rome and which was erected in thanksgiving for the return of Victor Emmanuel I in 1814.

In the suburb of Lingotto, is the original factory of the Fiat company which was closed in 1982; the building is to be preserved as an example of early industrial architecture. There are plans to change it into an office and shopping center, with a museum, etc. A kilometer farther south, in the suburb of Mirafiori, is the new Fiat plant (1939).

From the Gran Madre di Dio church we go south along Corso Moncalieri and almost immediately turn left into Via Maresciallo Giardino to reach the Monte dei Cappuccini, a wooded hill rising above the river (45m/149ft). On top of the hill are a Capuchin monastery founded in 1583, the church of Santa Maria del Monte and the interesting Museo Nazionale della Montagna Duca degli Abruzzi, with Alpine maps, photographs, reliefs, models, etc. From the hill there is a magnificent view of Turin and the chain of the Alps.

At the south end of the park stands the Palazzo di Torino Esposizioni (1948-52), in which the popular Motor Show and Industrial Vehicle Show are held.

Porta Palazzo (Piazza della Repubblica), an open market, is the "Il Balon" which opens every Saturday.

In the south of the town, beyond the large Piazza d'Armi, is the Stadio Comunale, with the Marathon Tower, two open-air swimming pools and an indoor pool.