More than 500 works from the Savoy dynasty’s collections offer a sweeping view of European art in Turin: the Galleria Sabauda spans the 14th to the 20th century. Elsewhere in the city, you can also encounter different chapters of its history—in collections, buildings and underground spaces.

Art and History on Many Scales

Two museum perspectives meet at Palazzo Madama: a museum devoted to the city and the Piedmont region, and a museum of decorative arts from every period and region. Its collection includes more than 4,000 ceramic pieces and is among the most important in Italy. Local history and a broader view of design sit side by side, without one eclipsing the other.

The Museo Egizio is devoted entirely to Egyptian culture and is considered the world’s oldest museum of its kind. It was founded in 1824, based on the collection assembled by Bernardino Drovetti. This chronology is part of the museum’s story: a collection led to the foundation of a museum whose subject is a culture with a far longer history.

The Savoy dynasty also shapes the way Turin is seen. The UNESCO World Heritage Site “Residences of the Royal House of Savoy” includes eleven sites in the city center. The underground areas of the Basilica di Superga contain tombs of the Savoy dynasty that visitors can enter. The link between the history of the residences and the dynasty is made tangible here by a specific place; check current visiting arrangements for the tombs before your visit.

Architecture, the Stage and Insights Beneath the City

The Mole Antonelliana was originally designed as a synagogue. The route to the panoramic terrace climbs stairs inside the dome. Architectural history and the view are directly connected here: the ascent itself leads through this distinctive building before the view opens up from above.

At the Teatro Regio, it is worth distinguishing between its history and the present-day building. The theater opened on December 26, 1740, with Francesco Feo’s opera Arsace. The present-day building opened on April 10, 1973, with Giuseppe Verdi’s opera I Vespri siciliani. Guided tours include the foyer, auditorium, stage, underground rehearsal rooms and costume workshop. This offers a glimpse beyond the visible performance space, extending into the theater’s work and preparation areas.

At the Museo Civico Pietro Micca, a different route below ground leads through the counter-mine tunnels of the Mezzaluna del Soccorso. This underground route is part of the museum visit. Models, prints, weapons and mementos from the period complement it: the collection and the route through the tunnels offer two different ways into this historical subject.

The Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano preserves paintings, drawings and sculptures, as well as textile collections featuring uniforms and flags. The range of objects makes the museum a destination in its own right, even if you are not exploring Turin solely through its best-known buildings.

By the Po, Toward the Hills and Above the Rooftops

Parco del Valentino lies on the left bank of the Po, facing the hills of Turin. Cycle and walking paths, along with opportunities for sport and recreation, give the park a variety of uses. The Borgo Medievale also stands in the park—a reconstruction created for the 1884 Italian General Exhibition. The contrast between a historic exhibition setting and paths along the river is part of this place’s distinctive character.

The viewpoint at the Basilica di Superga offers another perspective on Turin and the Alpine arc. Together with the accessible tombs in the underground areas, the site combines views with Savoy history. The distinction is useful when planning: the view over the city and Alpine arc is a landscape experience, while visiting the tombs depends on the arrangements in place at the time.

Turin’s Food and Everyday Culture

The Museo Carpano traces the history of Italian vermouth from 1786, when Benedetto Carpano patented the drink. Tours are offered in Italian and English; tasting experiences are available by arrangement. This connects the history of the drink with a specific visitor experience. If you plan to take part in a tasting, arrange it in advance.

Founded in 1763, Caffè Al Bicerin has preserved its original furnishings. The café is associated with bicerin, a traditional Turin drink that originated there. History is on display here not only in a museum collection, but also through a local drink tradition. A visit to Guido Gobino ends with a tasting; check current visiting arrangements in advance.

Mercato di Porta Palazzo is considered Europe’s largest open-air market, with an area stated to be 51,300 m². Along with the historic cafés and tasting experiences, it offers another way to explore the city’s food and drink culture. These places emphasize different things: here, the market’s size takes center stage; elsewhere, it is the history of a drink or a tasting as part of the visit.

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Discover more destinations: Bardonecchia, Casalborgone, Cavallo, Mazzè, Dubbione Di Pinasca, Piossasco, Sauze D'oulx, Sestriere, Usseaux, Villafranca Piemonte, Turin, Volpiano, Vigone, Susa, Scarmagno, San Mauro Torinese, San Giusto Canavese, San Giorgio Canavese, Sangano, San Francesco Al Campo, Ruà, Rondissone, Romano Canavese, Rivoli, Rivarolo Canavese, Rivalta Di Torino, Pinerolo, Pavone Canavese, Oulx, Nichelino, Moncalieri, Ivrea, Grugliasco, Giaveno, Druento, Collegno, Claviere, Ciriè, Chivasso, Chieri, Castagneto Po, Caselle Torinese, Carmagnola, Candiolo, Caluso, Borgaro Torinese, Beinasco, Avigliana, Val Della Torre, Banchette, Bruzolo, Cesana Torinese, Verrua Savoia, Cuorgnè, Arborea, Settimo Torinese, Monti, Cambiano, Alpignano, Trofarello, Pino Torinese, Colleretto Giacosa, Gravere, Carignano, Garibaldi, Sant'anna, Sauze Di Cesana, None Turin, Torre Pellice, Cavour, Sciolze, Chiaverano, Fiano, Rosta, Pragelato, Pecetto, Torre, Albiano D’ivrea, Marentino, Candia Canavese, Pralormo, Mathi, Lombardore, Bobbio Pellice, San Maurizio Canavese, Chiesanuova, Robassomero, San Raffaele, Brusasco, Venaria Reale, Caprie, Gassino Torinese, Montanaro, Fenestrelle, Isolabella, Balangero, Piverone, Pianezza, Roure, Orbassano, Montaldo Torinese, Villar Perosa, Cumiana, Barbania, Sant'antonino Di Susa, Villar Pellice, Lanzo Torinese, Exilles, Torre Canavese, Loranzè, Buriasco, Cantalupa, Poirino, Valprato Soana, Busano, Airasca, Brosso, San Benigno Canavese, Montalto Dora, Ceres, Caselette, Carella, Beaulard, Ala Di Stura, Alpette, San Sicario Alto, Chiomonte, Locana, Coazze, Prali, Usseglio, Viù, Rubiana, Parella, Moncenisio, Settimo Vittone, Perosa Argentina, Cuceglio, Maglione, San Gillio, Noasca, La Loggia, Foglizzo, Villar Focchiardo, Villareggia, Vinovo, Cebrosa, Nole, Bussoleno, Ceresole Reale, San Giorio, Campiglia Soana, Agliè, Azeglio, Eremo, Stazione, Front, Borgofranco D'ivrea, San Secondo Di Pinerolo, Piobesi Torinese, Quincinetto, Traversella, Pomaretto, Montalenghe, Baldissero Torinese, Coassolo, Borgone Susa, Pont Canavese, Vacci, Airali, Alice Superiore, Almese, Bibiana, Pavarolo, Piamprato, Maddalena, Sparone, San Giuseppe, Valgioie, Balme, Vistrorio, Monfol, Corio, Vico Canavese, Strambinello, Vestignè, Moriondo Torinese, Plan, Riva presso Chieri, San Didero, Bricherasio, Condove, Torrazza Piemonte, Buttigliera Alta, Castagnole Piemonte, Cinzano, Roletto, Didiero, Castellamonte, Meana di Susa, Salbertrand, Rivalba, Vidracco, Salassa, Germagnano, Andezeno, Champlas Seguin, Rollieres, Palazzo Canavese, Frassinetto, Bruino, Arignano, San Pietro Val Lemina, Cervoto

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