Piazza San Carlo (San Carlo Square), Turin (must see)
Saint Charles鈥� Square might look like an elegant stage set, but every detail has centuries of politics, culture, and coffee drinking written into it. First drawn out in the 17th century under the Savoy dynasty鈥檚 grand makeover of Turin, the square-once called Royal, later Napoleon-was given its symmetry and order by architect Carlo di Castellamonte. The dimensions, 168 by 76 meters, were calculated to impress without overwhelming, and the long arcades still stretch around it like carefully pressed cuffs on a baroque jacket.
The southern end offers drama in stereo: two churches, Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo, facing the square with almost identical fa莽ades. Around them stand noble palaces such as the Solaro dei Borgo, home to the Philharmonic Academy since 1839, and the Whist Society, where 19th-century Turin鈥檚 elite debated politics as seriously as they did card games. The arcades flow into Via Roma, sheltering shops, caf茅s, and patisseries where modern chatter continues the square鈥檚 long tradition as a meeting ground.
In the center, the equestrian statue of Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Savoy, strikes a curious pose: sword sliding back into its sheath, a rare image of a general after the battle rather than during it. Sculptor Carlo Marochetti unveiled it in 1838, ensuring that even the square鈥檚 focal point mixes power with a hint of theatrical timing.
For nearly two centuries, San Carlo Square has also been Turin鈥檚 unofficial salon. At Caff猫 San Carlo, Caff猫 Torino, or the Stratta patisserie-famous for chocolates since 1836-politicians, artists, and writers sipped inspiration along with espresso. Since its 2004 redevelopment, the square belongs fully to pedestrians, making it an open-air living room where baroque elegance still frames Turin鈥檚 everyday life.
The southern end offers drama in stereo: two churches, Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo, facing the square with almost identical fa莽ades. Around them stand noble palaces such as the Solaro dei Borgo, home to the Philharmonic Academy since 1839, and the Whist Society, where 19th-century Turin鈥檚 elite debated politics as seriously as they did card games. The arcades flow into Via Roma, sheltering shops, caf茅s, and patisseries where modern chatter continues the square鈥檚 long tradition as a meeting ground.
In the center, the equestrian statue of Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Savoy, strikes a curious pose: sword sliding back into its sheath, a rare image of a general after the battle rather than during it. Sculptor Carlo Marochetti unveiled it in 1838, ensuring that even the square鈥檚 focal point mixes power with a hint of theatrical timing.
For nearly two centuries, San Carlo Square has also been Turin鈥檚 unofficial salon. At Caff猫 San Carlo, Caff猫 Torino, or the Stratta patisserie-famous for chocolates since 1836-politicians, artists, and writers sipped inspiration along with espresso. Since its 2004 redevelopment, the square belongs fully to pedestrians, making it an open-air living room where baroque elegance still frames Turin鈥檚 everyday life.
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Piazza San Carlo (San Carlo Square) on Map
Sight Name: Piazza San Carlo (San Carlo 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