Caprie
Hi everyone! Today I will talk to you about Turin, a wonderful city located in the Piedmont region, in northern Italy. Here I will tell you about its millennia-old history, its geographical location, and its importance in terms of culture, tourism, and economy.
Physical Geography
Territory
Turin is located in the Piedmont plain, surrounded by the Stura di Lanzo, Sangone, and Po rivers. The latter crosses the city from south to north, offering tourists a breathtaking view. The city is located at the foot of the Alps, facing the outlets of some alpine valleys such as Val di Susa, Valli di Lanzo, and Val Sangone. These valleys allow easy access to neighboring cities and nearby France through the Frejus tunnels (Frejus railway tunnel and Frejus road tunnel).
History
Turin has a very ancient history, it is thought to have been founded around the 3rd century BC by the Taurini. Later, it became a Roman colony by Augustus, with the name of "Iulia Augusta Taurinorum" in the 1st century BC. After suffering the domination of the Ostrogoths, the city became the capital of an important Duchy of Turin. In the 11th century, it passed under the nominal lordship of the Savoy House, becoming, in 1563, the capital of the Duchy of Savoy. From 1720 it was the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia and, from 1861, it was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy.
Economy and Culture
Economy
Turin, together with Milan and Genoa, constitutes one of the main university, artistic, tourist, scientific, and cultural centers of Italy. With a population of almost 1.7 million inhabitants, the city is the third productive center of the country and an important hub of the Italian automotive industry. Moreover, it represents a relevant European financial marketplace.
Culture
Turin is a fabulous city of art and culture. In fact, within its territory, there are various areas and buildings included in two goods protected by UNESCO: some palaces and areas belonging to the circuit of the Savoy residences in Piedmont (world heritage site) and the area of the hills of the Po (biosphere reserve).
The city is home to important international events such as the International Exposition of 1911, the XX Winter Olympic Games of 2006, the ATP Finals from 2021 (until at least 2025), and the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. In addition, Turin is famous for being the birthplace of some of the major symbols of "Made in Italy" in the world, such as vermouth, Gianduiotto, breadsticks, and espresso coffee.
The city is also an important center of publishing, food and wine, cinema, space industry (astronomy), industrial design, sports, fashion, and artificial intelligence.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Turin is a city of unique charm, capable of combining millennia-old history with a present marked by modernity and innovation. If you have never visited this city, I recommend you to do so as soon as possible, because I assure you that you will return home with many emotions and unforgettable memories.
