Using Piazza Castello, which is in the heart of Turin's historical district, as a starting point you can easily explore the south-eastern part of the city centre, spreading along the banks of River Po. If you start your tour from the Royal Theatre (Teatro Regio) and walk along Via Po, you should turn left along Via Montebello (the third intersection) and will soon reach Mole Antonelliana - the most popular landmark of the city. Its structure has a unique and very interesting shape. It resembles an ancient Greek temple, crowned by strange dome in the form of a bishop’s hat, which top is adorned by spire in a shape reminding for the tiered towers (pagodas) in Asia. The building is named after its architect Alessandro Antonelli who designed it in the 19th century as a synagogue. The local Jewish community could not pay the expensive construction works and gave it to the city council. The latter decided to turn into the attractive Museum of Cinema (Museo del Cinema). Turin was among the first European cities to show the revolutionary invention of Auguste and Louis Lumière. The exciting early history of this art is intriguingly presented in the museum.
After seeing Mole Antonelliana, you can walk back along Via Montebello and then continue along Via Po in direction to the river. Walking along the once-elegant but now shabby porticoes of the street you will soon find yourself on a large arcaded square - Piazza Vottorio Veneto. A few steps from it you will see the bridge across River Po and right at the opposite bank of the river is the Neoclassical church Gran Madre de Dio. Its shape resembles the ancient Pantheon in Rome. Passing by the church you can climb a wooded hill at the top of which is located the National Mountain Museum "Duca degli Abruzzi", commanding amazing panoramic views over Turin and towards the Majestic Alps. It shows an interesting collection of artifacts related to the mountain and the people who live in it.
Continuing your tour south of the museum, along Corso Moncalieri you will soon reach another bridge - Ponte Umberto I. Crossing it you will be at the beginning of the large Park Valentino, spreading along the river. It is famous for its trendy night clubs and intense night life. During the day you can stroll along its quiet alleys between pleasant flower beds and gentle hills, relaxing from the bustle of the city centre. With its territory of more than five thousand square meters this is the largest parkland in Italy. Within the park you can see the exclusive Castello del Valentino. This a splendid residential palace of the Savoy’s Royal House, included in the world heritage sites list by UNESCO. It was built on the site of an ancient medieval castle, which was bought in the 16th century by Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Savoy. The name Valentino probably derives from an old church located nearby, where the relics of a supposed Saint Valentine were kept. The present-day appearance of the palace is from the first half of the 17th century, commissioned by Princess Christine Marie, who lived here. Today Castello del Valentino houses the architectural faculty of Turin University.
A long walk along the river, south of Park Valentino or a few minutes by public bus no. 34 from Via Nizza is found the renowned Automobile Museum of Turin (Museo dell'Automobile), which is unique in Italy. The exhibition follows the history of the automobile industry from the earliest hand-made cars to the contemporary models. Here you can see the first Fiat car, produced at the very end of 19th century.
A short walk from the Automobile Museum you can reach the Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli showing a wide art collection, a gift to the public
by Marella Agnelli - the owner of Fiat corporation and one of the most powerful and richest men in Italy. The gallery is built in a contemporary style,
entirely of metal and glass. It displays a great number of precious paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, including some unique works by Picassos,
Modigliani and Matisses. A few steps from here is located the Lingotto building. A former Fiat factory, today this is the city’s major exhibition
and congress centre.
Our favourite hotels in the South-East City Centre:
Hotel Eden **
Best Western Hotel Piemontese ***
Hotel Plaza ***
Best Western Hotel Crimea ***
Hotel River ***
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