Leini

Welcome to Turin, a Global City with a Glorious Past

Hello everyone! Are you ready to discover everything about the beautiful Turin? This city in northern Italy has a history dating back over two thousand years and was likely founded in the 3rd century BC by the Taurini. Today, Turin is the fourth largest municipality in Italy by population, with over 800,000 inhabitants as of October 31st, 2022. But that's not all: it's also the third largest industrial production and economic complex in the country, alongside Milan and Genoa, and is one of Italy's top university, artistic, tourist, scientific, and cultural hubs.

Physical Geography

Turin: History, Culture and Economy of a Global City

Territory

Turin is situated in the plain delimited by the Stura di Lanzo, Sangone, and Po rivers, with the latter flowing through the city from south to north. The city faces the mouth of several alpine valleys: the Val di Susa, which connects the city with France through the Frejus tunnels, the Valli di Lanzo, and the Val Sangone. Here, you can admire a physical map of Turin's territory.

History

Turin has a fascinating history and has been at the center of many historical events. After being founded by the Taurini, the city was transformed into a Roman colony by Augustus in the 1st century BC. Over the following centuries, Turin became the capital of an important Duchy and later came under the nominal lordship of the House of Savoy in the 11th century. In 1563, the city became the capital of the Duchy of Savoy. In the 19th century, with the foundation of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Turin was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 to 1946.

Culture and Events

Turin is a city rich in culture and events not to be missed. In 1911, the city hosted the International Exhibition of Turin, while in 2006 it was the site of the XX Winter Olympic Games. In 2021 (and until at least 2025), the city will also host the ATP Finals and in 2022 the Eurovision Song Contest. But in Turin, there are not only major events: the city is also the birthplace of some of the symbols of "Made in Italy" in the world, such as vermouth, Gianduiotti chocolates, breadsticks, and espresso coffee.

Economy

Turin is an important industrial center in Italy and the world. In addition to being a hub of the Italian automotive industry, the city is also an important center for publishing, banking, insurance, information technology, cinema, and fashion. Moreover, Turin is an innovator in the space and artificial intelligence sector.

Tourist Attractions

Turin offers countless tourist attractions to visit. Among these, there are some Savoy residences and residential areas in Piedmont (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the hills of Po (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). The city also has numerous museums, such as the Egyptian Museum, the Cinema Museum, the Mirò Foundation, and the GAM - Modern Art Gallery, as well as historic sites such as Mole Antonelliana and the Royal Palace.

Conclusion

In short, Turin is a city full of life and history, with a strong economy and rich culture. So, don't hesitate to visit this splendid city and discover all its wonders!

Ludovica Neri
Wrote by Ludovica Neri
Updated Wednesday, Dec 21, 2022