Turin, the regional
capital of Piedmont, is reputed to be a magical city.
It is elegant and fascinating and it has the privilege position
to have been the first capital of the new borne kingdom of
Italy ruled by the Savoy Family, (the reigning dynasty of
Italy until 1946). Some of the great monumental testimonies
of the important role played by Piedmont in modern Italian
history being for long the head of the country are:
the Royal Palace, Palazzo Madama, the Mole Antonelliana,
and the Royal Villa at Stupinigi.
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In the cathedral of Turin is kept the Holy Shroud, the ancient
linen winding-sheet in which, according to the tradition,
the body of Christ was wrapped after his crucifixion.
And what about Turin’s Museo Egizio? It has the best
collection of Egyptian artefacts outside of Cairo. The city
is home to Europe’s, not just Italy’s, largest
open-air market (Porta Palazzo). This is the birthplace of
Vermouth, grissini (bread sticks) and agnolotti (crescent-shaped
ravioli).
But Turin is much more … it is strictly related to
Agnelli Family whom built Fiat, the world’s seventh
largest car manufacturer and to the Winter Olympics that
Turin hosted in 2006.
It’s impossible to say Piedmont and not relating it
to Turin although a region of many diverse landscapes with
exceptional beautiful sceneries and many other cities witness
of the rich historical past.
Novara, Vercelli, Cuneo, Alessandria, and Asti, to mention
some example still conserve numerous civic and religious
edifices which bear old testimonies: fortresses, basilicas,
convents.
The natural landscape is splendid and varied: mountains that
make this region one of the best skiing resorts , valleys,
hills (the Langhe are famous as the setting for many stories
by Cesare Pavese and Beppe Fenoglio, famous writers from
Piedmont), lakes (Maggiore, d'Orta, di Viverone), and the
Valgrande National Park.
Piedmont is home to Italy’s famous
white truffles, Gianduiotti and fantastic Barolo and Barbaresco
wines.
The writer Henry James said, “Turin is not a city
to make a fuss about. Yet, despite its reputation, the center
of this city shines and offers surprises around every corner”.
But Turin is much more … it is strictly related to
Agnelli Family whom built Fiat, the world’s seventh
largest car manufacturer and to the Winter Olympics that
Turin hosted in 2006.