Duomo di Torino e Cappella della Sacra Sindone (Turin Cathedral and Chapel of the Holy Shroud), Turin
The Shroud of Turin has stirred fascination for centuries, tied to the Savoy family since 1453 and still regarded as one of the city鈥檚 most famous treasures. These days it rests in a climate-controlled glass case inside the Baroque Chapel of the Holy Shroud, linked directly to both Turin Cathedral and the Royal Palace. The chapel itself was the brainchild of Guarino Guarini, a priest-architect who preferred geometry with a flair. In the late 17th century he designed a dome so intricate that light seems to bend into patterns of mystery, amplifying the aura of the relic it protects.
Turin Cathedral, built between 1491 and 1498, has its own layered story. It replaced three earlier churches-one tradition even credits a consecration by Lombard King Agilulf in the early 600s. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the new structure became the city鈥檚 main cathedral and, somewhat unusually for Turin, remains its only pure Renaissance building. Its bright marble fa莽ade is a calm counterpoint to the surrounding swirl of baroque architecture. Later centuries added their own touches: Filippo Juvarra polished up the bell tower, and Guarini鈥檚 chapel gave the complex its most dramatic feature.
That chapel dome is a marvel in itself-six stacked levels rising in a hexagon, crowned by a lantern shaped as a twelve-pointed star with the dove of the Holy Spirit at its center. Step inside, and you鈥檒l find a space that still manages to look both daring and devotional.
The cathedral and chapel together serve as a lesson in contrasts: Renaissance restraint, baroque bravado, and the enduring mystery of the Shroud that continues to draw pilgrims and skeptics alike.
Turin Cathedral, built between 1491 and 1498, has its own layered story. It replaced three earlier churches-one tradition even credits a consecration by Lombard King Agilulf in the early 600s. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the new structure became the city鈥檚 main cathedral and, somewhat unusually for Turin, remains its only pure Renaissance building. Its bright marble fa莽ade is a calm counterpoint to the surrounding swirl of baroque architecture. Later centuries added their own touches: Filippo Juvarra polished up the bell tower, and Guarini鈥檚 chapel gave the complex its most dramatic feature.
That chapel dome is a marvel in itself-six stacked levels rising in a hexagon, crowned by a lantern shaped as a twelve-pointed star with the dove of the Holy Spirit at its center. Step inside, and you鈥檒l find a space that still manages to look both daring and devotional.
The cathedral and chapel together serve as a lesson in contrasts: Renaissance restraint, baroque bravado, and the enduring mystery of the Shroud that continues to draw pilgrims and skeptics alike.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Turin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Duomo di Torino e Cappella della Sacra Sindone (Turin Cathedral and Chapel of the Holy Shroud) on Map
Sight Name: Duomo di Torino e Cappella della Sacra Sindone (Turin Cathedral and Chapel of the Holy Shroud)
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Turin, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Turin
Creating your own self-guided walk in Turin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Turin Introduction Walking Tour
Mark Twain once wrote that Turin鈥檚 streets are 鈥渆xtravagantly wide鈥� and its houses stretch 鈥渁s straight as an arrow鈥�-and he was not exaggerating.
Turin's story begins with the Taurini, a Celtic tribe whose name is tied to the word for 鈥渕ountain.鈥� They lived at the foot of the Alps before the Romans arrived. In 28 BC, the Romans founded Taurinorum here, designing it in their... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Turin's story begins with the Taurini, a Celtic tribe whose name is tied to the word for 鈥渕ountain.鈥� They lived at the foot of the Alps before the Romans arrived. In 28 BC, the Romans founded Taurinorum here, designing it in their... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Coffee, Food and Chocolate Tour in Turin
Among other things, the capital of Italy's Piedmont region 鈥� Turin 鈥� is well known for its rich culinary tradition, which includes long-standing coffee and chocolate culture. There are several cafes and coffee houses in the city that have been in business for hundreds of years.
The most notable of them are found in the historic heart of the city, such as the Caff猫 al Bicerin.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
The most notable of them are found in the historic heart of the city, such as the Caff猫 al Bicerin.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles