 You could come here to see the Motown of Italy- and you
would not be disappointed. The FIAT and PIRELLI act as a magnet for
business visitors who are highly visible entertaining and visiting
factories. The formality and corporate- often blue collar - culture
is unmistakable. But as a culture aficionado - the city is worth a
visit as well. It was always the center of Francophile movement-
the pronunciation changes here and the tongues begin to roll. The
house of Savoy that made Turin its capital introduced the
subtleties. It was also the center of Risorgimento movement that
ultimately led to the unification of Italy. Incidentally, the
Italian communist movement and terrorism were also born in the
Turin factories.
Turin offers a cultured society that prides in its museums and
exudes a charm that descends directly from its French legacy. The
attractions in your travel to Turin are many
Basilica De Superga
Raised in gratitude to Virgin Mary for saving the city from its
French tormentors, it's a luxuriously baroque basilica located
outside the city. The neo classical porch and the drum dome
piercing the sky prove to be the focal point. Inside, it is as
gloomy as a tomb with a vast circular chamber opening out to six
side chapels. As a matter of fact, the church served as a tomb for
the house of Savoy whose luminaries are buried deep inside the
crypt of the kings. You can enjoy a fabulous view of the
breathtaking Alps from the terrace in front and a trip to the
basilica on the quaint railway could be etched in your mind
forever. It adds a spiritual note to destination Italy.
Cattedrale Di San Giovanni
Battista
Most people flock to Turin for the controversial shroud-
Santissima Sindone. Just as well, because apart from the mysterious
shroud, very few artifacts are displayed in the ostentatious
Capella Della Santa Sindone. But the shroud makes up for
everything. A subject of intense scientific scrutiny, it is perhaps
one of the few signs of faith actually taking form. For, the shroud
is supposed to have been worn by Jesus and contains tell-tale signs
of torture, blood and grime that accompanied the Lord's
crucification. The entire scientific community is suitably
skeptical. Even carbon dating has been inconclusive and it is your
faith that will ultimately decide. It could prove to be a renewal
of faith in your destination Italy. The cathedral faces two
important landmarks- the remains of a theatre and the Porta
Palenina a roman era city gate flanked by six sided towers.
Galleria Civica d' Arte Moderna e
Contemporanea GAM
The contemporary art gallery impels you to look beyond the
perfection of forms of Italian Renaissance. See the illusions that
illustrates individual reality with arts by Modigliani, Giorgio de
Chirico, Serverini, Otto Dix and Andy Warhol amongst others .If
renaissance art was equated with Italy, then this museum gives a
fresh new perspective. The magnificent colors superimposed on
everyday graphics , mind stream consciousness painting forces you
to rethink on every aspect of classicism including the eternal
question what is art?
Museo del automobile
The Motown even has a museum dedicated to lifestyle toys. It
houses the Italian style of car-making mainly from Fiat - where
functionality is often superimposed with clever designs. It you are
obsessed with the hot wheels, head for the Bell lighter exhibition
hall that exhibits classic 1960s design. The free flowing curves
captured the imagination of the world and represent an entire way
of life. Lancias, Isotta Frashinis , Ferraris and Alpha Romeos
jostle for attention and display evolving technology high on style.
You can see the Itala that entered the 1907 Peking to Paris rally
as well as Gloria Swanson's roadster in Sunset Boulevard.
Palazzina di Caccia di
Stupinigi
The royal palace of the Savoy's brims with its French
connections. A love for all things French leads to a largely
ostentatious palace -opulently decorated and overflowing with gold
colored decorations. Their love of art redeems it somewhat and the
priceless collection is displayed at Galleria Sabauda. Even the
tapestries attract attention with themes like Goblins depicting Don
Quixote's life .The Chinese and Japanese vases are a treat. There
is even a manual driven elevator. |
