The history of the Savoy Dynasty in Turin

Turin was the first Italian capital from 1861 to 1865. It once was an important industry city, and today many huge private corporations, like the automotive manufacturer FIAT, still have their head offices here. But the unattractive industrial metropolis turned into a vibrant and elegant city! The historical centre of Turin was built to a residency of the Savoy in the 17th century and is still shining with its prestigious Baroque buildings.

The mighty Baroque castles surround Turin like a circle and take the visitor’s breath away! Only the best architects were employed to build the spacious hunting and summer palaces, based on the French architecture. The most impressing residencies are the Venaria Reale, the hunting castle of Stupinigi and the Castello di Rivoli, which today is one of the most important modern art museums in Italy.

The highlights of the hisctoric city centre

The historical old town of Turin dazzles with its long and picturesque arcades, which were built to provide a comfortable “passegiata”, a shady stroll with dry feet. The symbol of the city is the Mole Antonelliana, with its unique architecture. It once was the highest building in Europe. The elegant Piazza Castello is the heart of the city and offers an ensemble of prestigious buildings like the Palazzo Madamo and the Baroque Chiesa di San Lorenzo. There, you can also visit the art gallery Galleria Sabauda, the prestigious Palazzo Reale and the royal library. Many open-air concerts take place on the beautiful square, too.