Turin, << TOO rihn >> (pop. 848,885), is a beautiful and historic city in northern Italy. Its Italian name is Torino << toh REE noh >>. Turin is the capital of the Piedmont region. The city lies at the base of the Alps on the Po River.
Turin has many examples of Baroque architecture, a highly decorative style that developed in the 1600’s and 1700’s. These include the Savoy Royal Palace and the Basilica of Superga, the burial place of the Savoy royal family. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist dates from the 1490’s. A chapel added to the cathedral in the 1600’s contains the Shroud of Turin, which some people believe was the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. See Shroud of Turin.
The dome and spire of a city landmark, the Mole Antonelliana, rise over Turin’s skyline. Many beautiful piazzas (public squares) provide open space in the city. Parks and botanic gardens stretch along the banks of the Po.
The University of Turin was founded in 1404. The city’s Egyptian Museum houses one of the world’s leading collections of ancient Egyptian relics. The Automobile Museum traces the history of the automobile.
Turin’s important industries include manufacturing, banking, and insurance. Automobiles, fine chocolates, and textiles are among the city’s chief products. The Fiat corporation, a leading automobile manufacturer, has its headquarters in Turin.
The city began over 2,300 years ago as the home of the Taurini, a Celtic tribe. In 218 B.C., the Carthaginian general Hannibal captured and heavily damaged Turin. The Romans rebuilt the city in 28 B.C. In the A.D. 1200’s, the Savoy family took control of Turin. From 1861 to 1865, Turin served as the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy. Turin hosted the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.
