Basilica di Superga

10km/6mi northeast of Turin, reached on a road which follows the Po to the suburb of Sassi (218m/719ft) and then winds its way up to the top of the hill (or rack railroad from Sassi, 16 minutes), is the Basilica di Superga (672m/2,218ft), on the second highest hill in the Colli Torinesi. This large and conspicuous church, built on a centralized plan with a dome 75m/248ft high flanked by 60m/198ft high towers, the masterpiece of the great Baroque architect Juvarra, was erected in 1717-31 to commemorate Prince Eugene's victory in 1706 and served as the mausoleum of the royal house of Savoy from 1730 to 1849 (tombs in crypt). From the terrace in front of the church, in clear weather, there is a prospect of the Alps; from the forecourt there