When in Turin
If your image of Turin is Fiats, industry and the gridlocked roads seen in the Italian Job, you will be in for a real treat when you turn up in this enticing city. Sometimes described as "austere", Turin, in fact, has much to enjoy; there are views of the nearby Alps from many city centre streets and beneath the modern façade, there are over 2,000 years of history to uncover.
A walk along the city's wide avenues and around its magnificent piazzas is a fantastic experience, especially for those who like their baroque architecture, which houses the city's many public buildings. The Quadrilatero area in the centre of town is one of the key places for enjoying oneself of an afternoon, with plenty of shops, cafes and glamorous people to keep you entertained.
Those after a peek at the controversial Turin Shroud, said to contain the image of Jesus, need to head to the Duomo di San Giovanni on Via XX Settembre. The cathedral, built in the late 15th century, is the only remaining example of Renaissance architecture in the city and is a fine structure. The shroud itself is locked away somewhere but a copy is on display in front of the altar.
The Museo della Sindone on Via San Domenico explains more of the shroud's possible history and tries to uncover the enduring mystery of the cloth. There are a large number of interesting displays and the museum also offers a free English audio-guide.
The city is home to a number of other top draw museums, including the Museo dell'Automobile for car fans and the fantastic Museo Nazionale del Cinema. However, the pick of the bunch is probably the Museo Egizio on Via Accademia delle Scienze. It is home to one of the best collections of Egyptian art and artefacts outside Cairo and has been steadily increasing its exhibits since the late 18th century.
A visit to the country's major football club, Juventus, is also an idea. The team's stadium, the Stadio delle Alpi, in the north-west corner of town, isn't great on aesthetics but is usually home to some of the world's greatest footballers. However, following a recent conviction for match fixing, it could be a couple of years before the good times return.
Turin's airport is around ten miles north-west of the city and regular buses head in to town. Long-distance buses arrive at Corso Castifidardo from all over Europe, while the city's central train station at Piazza Carlo Felice has regular connections with Rome, Milan and Venice, among others. The city's bus and tram network is not too busy and well run, while the odd cable car makes for a fun journey as well.
May to September sees most of the warm weather, although the city is rarely hot. Rainfall is common throughout the year, although December to February are generally the driest months, and the coldest, with temperatures rarely much above freezing.
|
Introduction
