Via Roma
A walk along Via Roma’s 1.2km length takes you from imposing 1930’s fascist buildings in the south, through the large and beautiful 17th Century cobbled square of Piazza San Carlo, with famous cafes, churches and equestrian bronze and to Piazza Castello, Turin’s main square with its ancient Palazzo Madama (castle) in the centre.
Via Roma is a designation imposed by Mussolini’s fascist regime for major Italian cities to name a major street after Rome. In Turin this coincided with a major renovation and extension of the old Contrada Nuova or New Way, so Turin’s Via Roma features many beautiful though austere neo classical buildings of the fascist regime as well as its many older grand neo classical and baroque buildings.
Shopping is a major attraction on Via Roma, with exclusive high end shops nearer the north end of Piazza Castello and more usual chain stores further south. At night, Via Roma remains lively with neon lights enhancing its shops, and bars, clubs and restaurants attracting party goers. Piazza Castello in the north is Turins major historic square. Palazzo Madama in the centre is a square 15th century brick castle with a white baroque facade at its front which was a royal residence. In Piazza Castello around the castle are the Royal Square and Royal Palace, City Hall, the Royal Theatre, the Royal Library, Cathedral of Saint John, Chapel of the (Turin) Shroud and the Royal Gardens which represent some of Turin’s finest and most beautiful attractions.
Juventus FC is Italy’s oldest and most successful football team and in 2011 moved into their new 41,000 seat hi-tech stadium in the quiet Vallette area of Turin. The building is a modern looking high smooth oval, with two tall supporting pylons and features 21st century hi-tech design. Eco friendliness was at the heart of its construction aiming to both reduce its environmental impact and save money. This led to all the concrete and metal of the previous stadium being recycled saving €2.3 million and the stadium also produces all its own energy from extensive solar panels, rainwater is recycled from the roof, sound pollution is minimised and an heating system works to distributes heat in an innovative way.
The Juventus Museum in the stadium is open daily to relive the highs and lows of the clubs 116 year history, and this can be combined with a 70 minute stadium tour seeing exclusive areas like changing rooms, the players tunnel and executive boxes. Next to the Stadium is Area 12 Shopping Centre with the Juventus Store and over 60 shops, bars and restaurants.
National Mountain Museum (Museo Nazionale della Montagna)
Opened by the Italian Alpine Club (CIA) in 1874 the National Mountain Museum is scenically located adjoining the church and monastery of Santa Maria al Monte on the Monte dei Cappuccini, a 283m hill overlooking the river Po and very close to Turin’s centre.
The museum started with an Alpine lookout and observatory in 1874 provided by the town council. Over the preceding decades collections have been added and the building has grown to house 23 exhibition rooms on 4 floors. The ground and first floors represent themes such as mountain religion, transport, tourism and mountaineering, the Italian Alpine Club, skiing, winter sports and sustainable development. The top floor of the museum has a viewing platform for you to enjoy a 400km wide panorama of the Alps to the west and north beyond the city below. The museum also has temporary exhibitions in its large basement and houses libraries of historic documents, photographs and films. Next to the museum is Monte dei Cappuccini Restaurant and bar, popular for its food and drink with stunning views.