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Turin

Turin Italy Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Turin (Torino)

Named as Italy’s first Capital City in 1861, Turin has a long tradition in art, politics, and industry. Although an industrial city made famous for its car manufacturing tradition and birth place of Fiat, Turin maintains architectural influences ranging from the Baroque and Rococo to Art Nouveau. Turin is regarded by the Italians as the “cradle of Italian Liberty”, since many famous politicians were born in the city.

Turin Highlights

• Historical landmarks
• Traditional cuisine
• Rich Automobile History

Turin History

Founded originally by Celt tribes, Turin became a functioning city under the guidance of the Romans. By building roads, houses, military camps, and high walls to protect the city, the Romans made Turin a formidable city in the surrounding area. With the fall of the Roman Empire, Turin fell to the Lombards, but it was the Duchy of Savoy towards the end of the 13th century that shaped the city by constructing palaces, gardens, and the famous University. The city continued to expand throughout the centuries both in population and architectural prowess, with the addition of many beautiful buildings, unique bridges, and streets. Seized by the French in 1802, Turin remained part of the Napoleonic Empire for only twelve years. With the Unification of Italy in 1861, Turin was named capital of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy until 1865. Turin’s leap into the modern era also put the city on the global map – with a vibrant industrial sector, the city attracted a great deal of investment, such as car giants Fiat and Lancia. Due to its industrial importance, the city of Turin was heavily bombed by the Allies during the Second World War, but it was able to bounce back and thanks to the booming automotive industry it played a key role in the astonishing economic growth of post-war Italy.