Mattie
Hi friends! Today I will talk to you about a beautiful Italian city located in the northwest of the country, in the Piedmont region, and is the capital of the Metropolitan City of Turin. I'm talking about Turin, or Torino in Piedmontese language.
Turin, industrial and cultural city
Economy and industrial production
Turin is a very important city for the Italian economy thanks to its industrial production. In fact, along with Milan and Genoa, it was part of the famous "industrial triangle" during the years of the Italian Economic Miracle. Today, it is the third largest complex Economy-Industrial Production in the country.
University, art, tourism, science and culture
But Turin is not only an industrial city, it is also an important university and cultural center. Here you will find numerous museums, art galleries, theaters, libraries and, of course, universities. In addition, the city is famous for its architectural beauty, with some areas and buildings included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Not only that, the Po hill area is a UNESCO protected biosphere reserve.
Important events
Turin has hosted numerous important events. In 1911, the Turin International Exposition attracted visitors from all over the world. In 2006, Turin hosted the XX Winter Olympic Games, which brought even more tourists to the city. In 2021, Turin was chosen as the venue for the ATP Finals, a tennis event that brings together the best players in the world, which will be held until at least 2025. Moreover, in 2022, Turin also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the most popular television shows in Europe.
Food and drinks
Turin is famous worldwide for some delicacies of its cuisine. Vermouth, a wine-based aperitif infused with herbs, was invented here in 1786. Gianduiotti, chocolate and hazelnut sweets, have been produced here for over two centuries. Grissini, the famous crunchy breadsticks, also originated in Turin in the eighteenth century. And what about espresso coffee? This is also one of the symbols of Made in Italy and an important part of the Turin culture.
City history
Foundation
Turin has a two-thousand-year history. The city was founded around the 3rd century BC by the Taurini, a Gallic people who lived in this area. The name of the city derives precisely from this people.
Roman domination
Subsequently, the city was conquered by the Romans and transformed into a Roman colony by Augustus. It was called "Iulia Augusta Taurinorum" in the 1st century BC.
The importance of the Savoy dynasty
Turin has undergone many changes of domination over the centuries. It was first the capital of an important duchy, then passed under the lordship of the Savoy House in the 11th century. In 1563 it became the capital of the Duchy of Savoy and in 1720, under the Kingdom of Sardinia, it became the de facto and then de jure capital of the nascent Kingdom of Italy.
The physical geography of Turin
The territory
Turin is located in the plain delimited by the Stura di Lanzo, Sangone and Po rivers. The city faces the Alpine valleys such as the Val di Susa, which connects the city with neighboring France through the railway and road tunnel of the Fréjus, and the Lanzo and Sangone Valleys.
Global city
Turin is a global city in the "Gamma" category, which means that it has a great economic and cultural impact internationally. It is the third most important Italian city, after Milan and Rome.
In conclusion, Turin is a city full of history, culture and economy. It is an important Italian industrial center, but also an important cultural center that offers many opportunities to its residents and visitors. I hope you enjoyed this brief journey through its history and physical geography.
