City of Turin

The centre of cultural and political life during the Italian Risorgimento and the first capital of Italy, the beautiful, orderly city of Turin, full of notable monuments remains an important cultural, economic, and industrial centre. Ancient Roman remains such as the ruins of the Roman walls, the Palatina Portal, and the Roman Theatre bring to mind the ancient Roman city of Augusta Taurinorum. Turin is dotted with examples of Baroque architecture such as the splendid Palazzo Reale. And the spirit of the grand, eighteenth-century Turin lives on in its parlour-like squares, the wide tree-lined boulevards and the buildings which line them. Another important feature in Turin are its museums, especially the splendid Egyptian Museum, the Sabauda Gallery, the Royal Armoury, and the Albertina Academy. However, there are many other museums and collections to satisfy the needs of the most fervid art lovers. Modern and vital, Turin is a capital with a certain flair for architectural and industrial style and design. The ideal continuation of the daring experiments of Guarini and Antonelli (the dome in the Chapel of the Holy Shroud and the Antonellian Mole) can be seen in the buildings designed by famous modern architects, from Pierluigi Nervi to Carlo Mollino, and in the examples of great industrial design which Turin exports throughout the world. Turin's modernity is also evident in its vast international exhibitions, such as the Motor Show and outstanding manifestations such as " Experimenta". 

THE ANTONELLIANA "MOLE"

For a long period of time this was one of the tallest brick buildings in the world and even today the Antonelliana "Mole" (meaning "massive structure") is one of Turin's best-loved symbols. Designed in 1863 by Alessandro Antonelli, the Antonelliana Mole has survived earthquakes and violent storms, enduring serious damage yet always remaining the highest "terrace" overlooking the city. The Labour Palace was designed by Pierluigi Nervi for the "Italia '61" International Exhibition. This monumental cube-shaped building made of cement and glass covers an area of 25 thousand square meters.