Last year, we decided to have a little weekend break in the beautiful capital of Piedmont, Turin – or Torino to give it its Italian name. Shrouded (see what I did there!) to the northwest by the imposing Alps, this picturesque city has much more to offer than simply a religious artefact and Juventus FC. Here are some alternative sights in and around Torino that you cannot afford to miss.
NATIONAL CINEMA MUSEUM
As if this temple to moving pictures was not enough (and believe us, it’s amazing), the Museo Nazionale del Cinema di Torino is housed inside probably the most spectacular building in the city, the Mole Antonelliana.
Originally built as a synagogue, the Mole is the ideal place for the best views of the city from up high. Entry to the film museum and Mole is around 14€ and includes a ride in the Charlie-and-the-Chocolate-Factory-like glass elevator that rises directly up the middle of the building into the spectacular domed roof.
Don’t sneak out after making the journey though, the film museum really is a star attraction in its own right with brilliant displays, interactive exhibits and perhaps the most beautiful yet distracting cinema screens (they’re part of the main vaulted hall of the building).
Did you know… Turin was Italy’s first capital city and was in fact the reason we have the unified Italy we know today?
LINGOTTO BUILDING
Forget Ford, this was one the largest car factory in the world. Built in 1916, this incredible building in the heart of the Lingotto district of Turin, was the home of the Fiat company. Unique in its design, the factory had five floors, with raw materials entering at ground level and slowly working they was up to the top floor to reach the roof as a completed car ready for a test drive on the rooftop test track. Find out more about it in this BBC article.
MARTINI VISITOR CENTRE
To some, it is the epitome of Italian glamour and sophistication. To others, it’s just the dusty bottle in the back of the cupboard for when grandma visits. Either way, Martini is known the world over and has been for over 100 years. The unique and famously guarded secret recipe of vermouth and gin has been a staple of bars, wine cabinets and cocktail trollies for generations as well as being a symbol of Turin area.
Twenty kilometres to the southwest of Turin city, you’ll find the Martini Visitor Centre and Museum of Enology where you can not only discover the joys and story behind the Martini & Rossi brand but also have a history lesson in wine making itself.
What are your top tips for sights to see in and around Turin? Let us know in the comments below.
Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a drink with my name on it. Salute!
