Turin and Egypt

Text author: Roberto Matteucci

Photo credit: popcinema.org

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TURIN CATHEDRAL - HOLY SHROUD

Turin Cathedral - Holy Shroud

At the end of the fifteenth century, Turin needed to become an important Renaissance city, moving away from its backward situation. The architect Meo del Caprina designed the Cathedral. A complete and massive façade, made lighter by the bell tower detached from the main structure and the refined staircase. In the Cathedral of Turin, it is preserved with human and divine care, the Holy Shroud. Such as protection occurred during the 1997 fire.

PIAZZA CASTELLO

Piazza Castello

Turin's centre is Piazza Castello. It is surrounded by porticos, from which spacious avenues radiate: via Roma, via Garibaldi, via Po full of shops, bars and restaurants. It was conceived by Ascanio Vitozzi in the late fifteenth century. Ancient Turin is changing. The House of Savoy wanted a modern and powerful capital, as the other ones in Italy.

CHURCH OF SAN LORENZO

Church of San Lorenzo

Upon exiting the Royal Palace, in Piazza Castello on its right, is the Church of San Lorenzo. Built by architect Guarino Guarini, the exterior appears modest, almost common. However, this normal aspect hides one of the most beautiful places in Turin, with its dome and elegant perspective.

PIAZZA C.N.L.

Piazza C.N.L.

In the dark and abandoned night, in Piazza C.N.L., Marc walks alone. The only lights are those of an Edward Hopper-style bar. The camera rises, revealing the square from above. Seated on the marble next to the statue of the river Po, Marc meets his friend Carlo. A scream tears up the square. A bleeding woman emerges from the window of one of the flats. It is the scene of the medium's murder in the iconic film Deep Red - Profondo rosso by Dario Argento. The square was renovated in 1935 and characterized by two fountains, one representing the river Po and the other the river Dora.

VALENTINO CASTLE

Valentino Castle

Near the Po bank, surrounded by a vast park, stands the Castello del Valentino with its white walls and black sloping roofs. Purchased in the sixteenth century by the House of Savoy as a river villa, the castle has continuously changed its function. Today, it is the location of the Polytechnic. Even his name Valentino has conflicting origins.

MOLE ANTONELLIANA

Mole Antonelliana

The Italian General Exhibition of 1884 was held in Turin. The Mole Antonelliana was erected on that occasion. Construction began in 1863, when Turin was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The tower stands 167 meters high and was the tallest building in the world until 1908. The architect was Alessandro Antonelli. The name Antonelliana is a game between the creator's surname and his grandeur.

MEDIEVAL VILLAGE

Medieval village

Also, for the Italian General Exhibition of 1884, a Medieval Village was built on the Po bank. It is the historical reconstruction of a fortified village in Piedmont in the fifteenth century. There is the castle, the shops and the church. The architect was Portuguese Alfredo d'Andrade.

BASILICA OF SUPERGA

Basilica of Superga

On a hill of 670 meters, there is Basilica of Superga. Built in 1706 by the architect Filippo Juvarra on behalf of Vittorio Amedeo. It was an ex-voto for the withdrawal of French and Spanish troops besieging Turin.

BICERIN AND CHOCOLATE

Bicerin and Chocolate

The excellent artisan chocolate of Turin is the basis of the city's most popular drink, the Bicerin. A traditional beverage. It has obtained generalized and inter-class fame. The recipe looks simple. There are just three ingredients: coffee, chocolate and milk cream, but the secret is the percentage between the elements.

EGYPTIAN MUSEUM

Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum of Turin is not only the second largest Egyptian museum after the Cairo one but also one of the oldest, dating back to 1824. It was the year of the acquisition of the rich collection by Drovetti, an officer under Napoleon's orders during the conquest of Egypt. Country, in which he remained at the end of the war as Consul of France. In 1894, Ernesto Schiaparelli was appointed director. An energetic man with profound scientific knowledge. He organized archaeological expeditions to Egypt, procuring the most famous tombs for the museum.

TORINO