Turin – East Turin

<< Turin

East Turin includes the Circoscrizioni 6, 7, and 8 of the city, occupying the areas east and north of the center of Turin. The historic neighborhoods of Aurora and Borgo Vanchiglia, located just north of the city center, are here, along with various residential districts. The hillside areas east of the Po river, which feature various historic attractions are also part of East Turin.

✪ Valentino Park

The Valentino Park (Parco del Valentino) is a large and famous park located along the Po river south of the center of Turin. The area is known for hosting a wide range of interesting attractions, such as the Valentino Castle (Castello del Valentino). This noble residence was first erected in the 16th century and later reworked in the 17th century. The castle now houses the Architecture Faculty of the Polytechnic University of Turin. The Botanical Garden of the University of Turin (Orto Botanico dell’Università di Torino) is adjacent to the Valentino Castle. Another popular area of the park is the Borgo Medioevale, a 19th-century reconstruction of a medieval village on the shores of the Po river. The park also features various monuments, statues, and fountains, dating from the late 19th and early 20th century.

✪ Basilica of Superga

The Basilica of Superga is a monumental church located on top of a hill east of Turin. The building was erected in the 18th century to celebrate the Piedmontese victory against the French in the 1706 siege of Turin, and it was designed by Filippo Juvarra. The elaborate building blends the Baroque and Neoclassical styles and it features rich decorations. Underneath the church, the Royal Crypt houses the remains of the members of the Savoy family. In 1949, the plane carrying the Torino football team crashed on the side of the mountain of Superga, killing all passengers. A monument dedicated to the beloved team is located behind the church. The basilica can be reached with a road or via a historic tramway built in the late 19th century. Due to its position, the church also offers a breathtaking panoramic view over Turin.

✪ Lingotto

Lingotto is a large former industrial complex in Turin, once serving as the main factory of car manufacturer Fiat. Built in the early 20th century, it was at the time the largest car factory in the world and its unique structure and appearance quickly made it one of the most iconic sights in Turin. The building is also famous for the test track that runs on its roof, which is still present today. The factory was closed in 1982 and gradually turned into a convention center with a concert hall, shopping mall, and more. Many aspects of the restoration works were led by the famous architect Renzo Piano. One section of the top floor of Lingotto houses the Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli, a collection of paintings from the private collection of Giovanni and Marella Agnelli, which includes works by Canaletto, Picasso, Canova, Manet, Renoir, and more.

✪ National Automobile Museum of Turin

The National Automobile Museum of Turin (Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile di Torino) is one of the oldest and most important collections of historic cars in the world. The museum displays hundreds of vehicles from different countries and brands, including some of the first Italian cars made in the late 19th century and many unique automobiles from the early 20th century.

✪ Villa della Regina

Villa della Regina (“Villa of the Queen”) is a large 17th-century noble residence located on the hills just east of the center of Turin. The palace soon became a possession of the Savoy family and it was chosen as the summer residence of various queens of Savoy and Sardinia. The villa features elaborate decorations, along with various artworks, and it is surrounded by lush gardens.

✪ Monte dei Cappuccini

Monte dei Cappuccini is a hill located east of the Po river in Turin. The hill is dominated by the Church of Santa Maria al Monte dei Cappuccini, erected between the 16th and 17th century. This church, which blends the Renaissance, Mannerist, and Baroque styles is adorned with rich decorations. The adjacent building hosts the Museo Nazionale della Montagna Duca degli Abruzzi, an interesting exhibit on mountains and mountaineering, also featuring a panoramic terrace with a view over Turin.

Church of Gran Madre di Dio

The Church of Gran Madre di Dio is a large neoclassical church erected in the 19th century in Turin. The church is located just across the Po river from Piazza Vittorio Veneto and it features a monumental facade and dome. Various statues and decorations adorn the building, both outside and inside.

Market of Porta Palazzo

Porta Palazzo is a section of the Aurora neighborhood located just north of the old town of Turin. The area is dominated by the wide octagonal Piazza della Repubblica, which hosts the largest open-air daily market in Europe. The square also houses covered markets, including a liberty-style pavillion erected in 1916. The streets just north of Piazza della Repubblica host a flea market known as Balon.

Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians

The Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians (Santuario di Maria Ausiliatrice) is a Neoclassical church erected in Turin in the 19th century. The church was founded by Catholic priest and educator Don Bosco, and its interiors feature various elaborate decorations and a richly frescoed dome. The basilica houses the remains of Don Bosco and other saints. The Museo Casa Don Bosco, a museum dedicated to the saint, is adjacent to the church.

Synagogue of Turin

The Synagogue of Turin is the main Jewish place of worship in the city. The elaborate building was erected in the late 19th century after the Jewish community refused the massive and expensive structure that later became known as the Mole Antonelliana. The temple also includes two small underground synagogues and various historic objects.

Palazzo degli Istituti Anatomici

Palazzo degli Istituti Anatomici is a building hosting three interesting museums that can be visited with a single ticket. The main museum is the Cesare Lombroso Museum of Criminal Anthropology (Museo di Antropologia Criminale Cesare Lombroso), an exhibit of anatomical specimens and objects from criminal asylums and prisons. The same building also hosts the Luigi Rolando Museum of Human Anatomy (Museo di Anatomia Umana Luigi Rolando), which includes a wide range of anatomical models and materials. The Fruit Museum (Museo della Frutta), a collection of over a thousand models of fruits from the 19th century, is also in the same building.

Fetta di Polenta

Also known as: Casa Scaccabarozzi

Casa Scaccabarozzi is a peculiar 19th-century building in Turin. The palace is famous for its trapezoidal and narrow shape, measuring 4.35 meters on its widest side, and just 54 centimeters on its narrowest side. The palace earned its nickname Fetta di Polenta (“Slice of Polenta”) due to its unusual shape and yellow color.

Ettore Fico Museum

The Ettore Fico Museum (Museo Ettore Fico) is a museum of modern and contemporary art in Turin. The museum is hosted in a redeveloped former industrial building and it often hosts interesting temporary exhibitions.

Lavazza Museum

The Lavazza Museum (Museo Lavazza) is a museum located inside Nuvola Lavazza, a modern building housing the headquarters of coffee manufacturer Lavazza. The museum includes an exhibition on the history of the company and the evolution of coffee products.

Victory Lighthouse

The Victory Lighthouse (Faro della Vittoria) is a large monument located on top of a hill just east of Turin. The tall bronze statue was erected in 1928 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Italian victory in World War I. The monument dominates over the Parco della Rimembranza, a lush park serving as a memorial to the Turinese soldiers who died in World War I.