Porte
Hi everyone!
I decided to talk about a city that is very dear to me: Turin! Turin is a municipality in Piedmont with about 842,472 inhabitants and is the center of the Italian automotive industry, as well as an important hub for publishing, information technology, cinema, food and wine, space (astronomy), industrial design, sports, fashion, and artificial intelligence.
Physical geography
Territory
Turin is located in the plain delimited by the rivers Stura di Lanzo, Sangone, and Po, facing the entrance of some alpine valleys: Val di Susa, which connects the city with nearby France through the Frejus Tunnel (Frejus Rail Tunnel and Frejus Road Tunnel), Valli di Lanzo, and Val Sangone.
History
Foundation and Roman period
Turin has a history of over two millennia, probably founded near its current location around the 3rd century BC by the Taurini, transformed into a Roman colony by Augustus with the name "Iulia Augusta Taurinorum" in the 1st century BC.
Savoy period
After the Ostrogothic dominion, it became the capital of an important Duchy of Turin, then passed, after becoming the capital of the Marca di Torino, under the nominal lordship of the House of Savoy in the 11th century. As the capital of the Duchy of Savoy, it became its capital in 1563. From 1720 it was the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia, a state that in the 19th century would lead to the Risorgimento and make Turin the first capital (city) of the Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946).
Economy
Automotive industry
Turin is the third largest industrial production and economic complex in the country and is one of the major university, artistic, tourist, scientific and cultural centers in Italy. The city is the center of the Italian automotive industry, where brands like Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and Iveco originate.
Publishing
Turin is also an important publishing center. The Turin International Book Fair is the second largest event in the world after the Frankfurt Book Fair, attracting writers and readers from all over the world.
Espresso coffee and food
Turin is a popular destination for food and espresso coffee lovers. Vermouth, Gianduiotto, grissini, and espresso coffee are just some of the city's delicacies.
Culture
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
In the territory of Turin, there are areas and buildings included in two protections by UNESCO: some palaces and areas belonging to the circuit of Savoy residences in Piedmont (world heritage site) and the Po hills area (biosphere reserve).
Sports and cultural events
Turin has hosted various sports and cultural events, including the 1911 Turin International Exposition, the XX Olympic Winter Games in 2006, the ATP Finals from 2021 (at least until 2025), and the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest.
Universities
Turin is also an important university center in Italy, with many universities and research institutes.
The constant growth in international importance has earned Turin the rank of a global city (the third Italian city after Milan and Rome) in the "Gamma" category.
I hope I made you appreciate this magnificent city a little more!
See you next time.
