Piazza Castello (Castle Square), Turin (must see)
Castle Square has been at the heart of Turin since 1584, when architect Ascanio Vitozzi drew it up for the House of Savoy, eager to make their new capital look the part. Think of it as urban planning with a touch of dynastic pride: a space designed for parades, ceremonies, and the occasional show of power.
At its center stands Madama Palace, a building with something of an identity crisis. The medieval towers speak of fortifications and sieges, while Filippo Juvarra鈥檚 baroque fa莽ade, added in the 18th century, looks ready for a royal ball. Today it houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art, where you can walk from Roman artifacts to Renaissance paintings without ever leaving the building-time travel made easy.
The square鈥檚 borders are no less impressive. The Royal Palace, once the Savoy residence, radiates authority even without its kings. The Church of Saint Lawrence, designed by Guarino Guarini, takes baroque geometry to dizzying new heights, a reminder that architecture here was as much about spectacle as devotion. Meanwhile, the arcaded streets framing the square provide a steady rhythm of shops and caf茅s, where history meets espresso in the most Italian way possible.
For visitors, Castle Square delivers Turin in one glance: Roman echoes, Savoy ambition, baroque elegance, and modern bustle layered together. It鈥檚 a space that doesn鈥檛 just tell the city鈥檚 story-it performs it, day after day, under the same open sky.
At its center stands Madama Palace, a building with something of an identity crisis. The medieval towers speak of fortifications and sieges, while Filippo Juvarra鈥檚 baroque fa莽ade, added in the 18th century, looks ready for a royal ball. Today it houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art, where you can walk from Roman artifacts to Renaissance paintings without ever leaving the building-time travel made easy.
The square鈥檚 borders are no less impressive. The Royal Palace, once the Savoy residence, radiates authority even without its kings. The Church of Saint Lawrence, designed by Guarino Guarini, takes baroque geometry to dizzying new heights, a reminder that architecture here was as much about spectacle as devotion. Meanwhile, the arcaded streets framing the square provide a steady rhythm of shops and caf茅s, where history meets espresso in the most Italian way possible.
For visitors, Castle Square delivers Turin in one glance: Roman echoes, Savoy ambition, baroque elegance, and modern bustle layered together. It鈥檚 a space that doesn鈥檛 just tell the city鈥檚 story-it performs it, day after day, under the same open sky.
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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Piazza Castello (Castle Square) on Map
Sight Name: Piazza Castello (Castle Square)
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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