Torino (Turin)
Province: Torino (TO)
Region: Piemonte, Italy
Population: 900,000
Altitude (metres): 240
Considered a sort of Dagenham or Detroit in the Alps, Turin didn’t always get the best press. The Winter Olympics of 2006 put it on the map, the property market boomed in a 100km radius and then Turin went back to sleep. You see, it’s not great when it comes to tourism.. It has so much to see and do but they like to keep it to themselves – the fear of turning into another Florence or Siena scares them – and maybe rightly so. If you do your homework before you go, you will love it! Tourist information is terrible (we call it anti-tourism) so check travel books and websites first.
The city’s full of architecture – Baroque, Art Deco, ancient Roman.. The turn of every corner reveals something incredible. The must-sees are the Mole, Piazza Castello and the Po river. And car fans, don’t miss the Lingotto (my favourite building). Just opposite there’s a shop called EATALY. You must visit!
Solid chocolate was invented here – so there’s plenty to buy and once a year they celebrate it on one of the great piazzas by holding a festival. Also bread sticks were first made here. Also famous of course, for the making of FIAT cars and formerly Lancia. The factory is in the south part of the city, called Mirafiori.
The 1969 film The Italian Job with Michael Caine was filmed here. Since then they refuse filming. The last of the Bourne Identity films was supposed to be partly filmed in Turin – permission was refused so they did the filming in Spain. I told you they don’t like tourism!
Homes for sale in Torino (Turin) Piedmont, Italy
