Cappella dei Mercanti

Turin

Copyright: Marco Mosole/cc by-sa 4.0/Wikimedia (cropped)

DESTINATIONS italy torino Do & See Cappella dei Mercanti

Cappella dei Mercanti

The baroque "Chapel of Merchants, Shopkeepers and Bankers" was built at the end of the 1600s. This lesser known architectural jewel still holds numerous original artworks. The most noteworthy of them is the Perpetual Calendar built by the engineering Giovanni Plana — a primitive computing machine that allows its user to look up details about any date between the years 1 and 4000. Powered by a small wooden crank, the intricate gears and chains put into motion the nine inscribed cylinders, The chapel is only open to the public on the weekends, when mass is held. If you are lucky, you can attend the occasional classical music concert and experience the building's impressive acoustics.

Do & See

Turin's vivid history still colours the atmosphere of the entire city. Walking in the streets of Turin, its past as capital of the richest reign of Southern Europe is plain to see: stunning palaces, squares and arches cover the entire city centre, giving to it a magic aura. Some of the most important museums in Italy are right here, too. Don't miss the Egyptian Museum (second only to the one in Cairo), and the Museum of Cinema located in the building-symbol of the city — Mole Antonelliana. Besides art and history, you can also enjoy open air activities. The city centre with its huge park Valentino is a vibrant space for old and young alike. Just outside the city, dozens of Savoy's estates beckon you with their lavish gardens and parks. Last but not least, if you are a sport enthusiast, don't miss to visit Piedmont's ski runs — among the best in the Alps!

National Museum of Cinema & Mole Antonelliana

National Museum of Cinema & Mole Antonelliana

The Italian movie industry was born in Turin, and for this reason the country’s largest film museum is located here. You will find it inside the Mole Antonelliana — a tall brick building from the top of which you can enjoy a magnificent view. It is a museum, but not in the traditional sense. …

Basilica of Superga

Basilica of Superga

Basilica of Superga was built by the orders of Duke Vittorio Amedeo II, in the 18th century. It is infamous for being the place where the plane carrying the soccer team Toro crashed during the 1940s. Superga is located on top of the hill bordering Turin, from where you have a wonderful view of …

The Royal Palace of Turin

The Royal Palace of Turin

Palazzo Reale was the residential estate of the Savoy family until 1861. Today, it hosts various galleries and museums. In the main building of the palace you can admire magnificent objects from the Baroque and Rococo periods, besides the stunning architectural structure of the estate itself. Palazzo Reale is located on Piazza Castello, one …

Valentino Park

Parco del Valentino is an big public park right in the city centre, next to the river Po. Colourful flower beds, a small stream with wooden bridges and monumental fountains create a peaceful oasis in the midst of the city. During spring and summer you can chill all day long and well into the …

Wine Tours in Langhe Region

Wine Tours in Langhe Region

Piedmont is one of the richest regions in Italy when it comes to wine. In particular, a large part of the production is concentrated in the Langhe area, reachable in one hour by bus, train or car from Turin. Many and various are the tasting tours available in this region, during which you can …

Segway Tour

Explore the magnificent royal squares of Turin and learn historical facts from a local tour guide. Listen to stories, urban legends and local life. Discover the hidden treasures, smoothly gliding between …

Juventus Stadium and Museum

Juventus Stadium and Museum

This is a must see for all soccer enthusiasts. Visits are normally guided both in Italian and English, and at the end of your tour you can buy Juventus memorabilia in the official shop of the team. You can choose between a visit to the stadium or the museum, or …

Egyptian Museum

Egyptian Museum

Solely dedicated to Egyptian Art, this museum is second only to the one located in Cairo. The wide collection here housed is the result of years of expeditions. Indeed in the past the artefacts used to be shared between the country where they were found and the researchers. Let yourself be amazed by this …

Pietro Micca Museum

Pietro Micca Museum

There is a world hidden in Turin’s underground made of an extended system of tunnels built in the XVI century to resist the French siege. Tour Pietro Micca Museum to see in the same tunnels where the battle was fought. It is an inspiring trip to the past and a perfect occasion to see …

Piazza Vittorio Veneto

Piazza Vittorio Veneto

Piazza Vittorio is the main square of the city, and the biggest in Europe completely surrounded by arcades. It is located at the end of Via Po, overlooking the river and the bizarre church Gran Madre. Under its arches, the square houses restaurants, cafés and bars of all sorts, and by night it turns …

Zoom Torino

To experience direct contact with nature, visit Zoom, a few kilometres outside of Turin. This safari park is so much more than a normal zoo: you can admire different species like zebras, giraffes, rhinoceros up close, and you can even swim with penguins! Furthermore, the water park and Bolder Beach pool is an extension …

Monte dei Cappuccini

Monte dei Cappuccini

The church of Santa Maria al Monte is visible from Piazza Vittorio, especially at night, when the space-age blue neon lights illuminate it. This late-Renaissance-style church stands on the right bank of the Po, on the so-called Monte dei Cappuccini, and from its terrace you can enjoy one of the best views of both …

Sacra di San Michele

Sacra di San Michele

A visit to Sacra di San Michele is the perfect trip on a clear day. This basilica is of high religious importance and got its name from the archangel Michael. The interior is majestic and the surroundings are breath-taking, as is the path to reach it. If you don't feel like a long walk, …

Venaria Palace

The Venaria Palace is a former residence of the Savoy family just outside Turin. The palace is one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe. As such, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Today it houses a big contemporary and fine art museum. You can admire the palace itself and …

The Palatine Gate

The Palatine Gate

The Palatine Gates date back to ancient Roman times, when provided access for travellers coming from the north. Today, the gates are part of the archaeological park located in the city centre, together with other ancient ruins, such as the remains of a Roman …

National Museum of Automobile

National Museum of Automobile

The National Museum of Automobile was founded in 1933, becoming one of the first automotive museums in the world. It hosts a very rare and fine collection of cars from Italy, France, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the US and Poland. The exposition displays the brands of the past and present dating back …

Teatro Regio

The amazing Teatro Regio (Royal Theatre) was commissioned by Vittorio Amedeo II and inaugurated in 1740. It immediately became a reference in the world of opera and ballet, not least for its sophisticated design. Today, the theatre remains a touchstone for the art of opera, but you can also visit the stunning building for …

Museum of Eastern Art

Museum of Eastern Art

Opened in 2008, the Museum of Eastern Art displays the biggest collection of Asian art and crafts in Italy. It is located in the Quadrilatero neighbourhood, in the ancient Mazzoni Palace. The exhibitions here are varied and change often, taking advantage of the 2200 artefacts that represent cultural and artistic traditions of the Asian …

Palazzo Madama

Palazzo Madama is one of the historic buildings of Piazza Castello, together with the Royal Palace. The layers of history that from this palace are extraordinary. At the beginning of the first century BC, the site of the palace was occupied by a gate in the Roman city walls. The two restored towers still testify …

Piazza San Carlo

Piazza San Carlo

Piazza San Carlo is one of the most important squares in Turin's history. It is located between Porta Nuova and Via Roma. During the 19th and 20th centuries it used to be the main meeting point for the elites and aristocracy, and the refinement of those days is still plain to see. In the …

Cesare Lombroso's Museum of Criminal Anthropology

Cesare Lombroso's Museum of Criminal Anthropology

Cesare Lombroso was an Italian criminologist, physician and phrenologist, who posed that crime is a characteristic trait of human nature. His role as the creator of criminal atavism remains controversial. You are invited to learn about the errors in his scientific method. In 2009, to mark the centenary of his death, the museum was revamped …

Cappella dei Mercanti

Cappella dei Mercanti

The baroque "Chapel of Merchants, Shopkeepers and Bankers" was built at the end of the 1600s. This lesser known architectural jewel still holds numerous original artworks. The most noteworthy of them is the Perpetual Calendar built by the engineering Giovanni Plana — a primitive computing machine that allows its user to look up details …

Pinacoteca Agnelli & Fiat Lingotto Factory

Pinacoteca Agnelli & Fiat Lingotto Factory

Pinacoteca Agnelli is an art gallery that displays art from a vast private collection. You'll find Renoir's Blonde Bather and Manet's La Négresse, as well as works by Matisse, Canaletto, Tiepolo, Canova, Picasso and Modigliani. The futuristic "crystal spaceship" pavilion is an attraction in itself. The Pinacoteca is perched on top of the Lingotto complex …