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Turin » The Basilica of Superga

Exterior (a photo by rivo)

The Basilica di Superga is perched on the top of a picturesque panoramic hill at about 670 meters above sea level, in the south-eastern surroundings of Turin, Italy. From here you can enjoy breath-taking views over the city, the valley of Po River and all this against the backdrop of the mighty snow-caped peaks of the surrounding Alps. The monument can be reached by Superga- Sassi Rack Railway from suburb Sassi or from the city centre - by tram number 15 and then bus number 79. If you are keen of walking amidst beautiful nature and enjoying splendid mountain views you can also access the basilica on foot. The church was built in the first half of 18th century to the order of Victor Amadeus II - Duke of Savoy and later the first king of the newly founded Kingdom of Sardinia and Piedmont. During the Battle of Turin in 1706 he climbed the Superga hill to reconnoiter the positions of the French and Spanish troops who were besieging the city. The duke liked the hill very much and he gave a vow that if manage to repel the enemy and win a victory against them with the help of the Madonna, a patron saint of Turin, he would build a church devoted to her on this marvelous place. Later after a glorious victory Victor Amadeus fulfilled his vow.

View from the Dome (a photo
by spentrails)

The design was created by the talented Italian architect of this time - Filippo Juvarra. He blended various architectural styles from previous periods and gave them a special Baroque nuance. Today the basilica is considered a representative of the Classicism in the late Baroque. The dome, which was accomplished in 1726, has many parts resembling the dome of St. Peter in Rome, designed by the Renaissance genius - Michealangelo. This is not a coincidence if you take under consideration the fact that Filippo Juvarra spent long years of his life studying and working in the Eternal City before he was hired by the House of Savoy in Turin. The façade of the basilica reminds in many features that of the ancient Pantheon of Rome. The size of the church is bigger than usual for this kind of Christian temples. This is mainly because the architect wanted a stable base on the difficult terrain on the top of the hill. There is also an opinion that Victor Amadeus II wanted the basilica to have huge sizes to remind for the might of his dynasty. The Superga Basilica keeps the tombs of many members of the Savoy royal house, including that of King Charles Albert.