Rivarossa
Hi there! Today I'll talk to you about Turin, a beautiful Italian city located in the Piedmont region. Also known as "Torino" in Piedmontese, this municipality has a population of 842,472 inhabitants and is located in the heart of the Turin Metropolitan Area, which has around 1.7 million inhabitants.
History
Foundation and transformation into a Roman colony
Turin has its roots in a two-thousand-year-old history that began around the 3rd century BC when it was founded by the Taurini. Later on, the city was transformed into a Roman colony by Augustus in the 1st century BC, with the name of "Iulia Augusta Taurinorum".
Ostrogothic Dominion, Duchy of Turin and House of Savoy
After the Ostrogothic Dominion, Turin became the capital of an important Duchy of Turin. Later on, it passed under the nominal lordship of the House of Savoy in the 11th century. In 1563, Turin became the capital of the Duchy of Savoy.
Capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia and First Capital of the Kingdom of Italy
Since 1720, Turin became the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia and would become the first capital city of the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 to 1946. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Sardinia led to the Risorgimento movement, which brought about the unification of Italy.
International Exhibitions, Olympics and More
Turin hosted the International Exhibition of Turin in 1911, the XX Winter Olympic Games in 2006, the ATP Finals since 2021, and the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
Physical Geography
Territory
Turin's territory is located in the plain bordered by the rivers Stura di Lanzo, Sangone, and Po. The Po River runs through the city from south to north. Turin is located in front of the mouth of some alpine valleys, such as Val di Susa, Valli di Lanzo, and Val Sangone.
Economy and Culture
Economy
Turin is the third-largest complex of Economy-Industrial Production in the country, along with Milan and Genoa. It is the hub of the Italian automotive industry, as well as an important center for publishing, banking and insurance, information technology, cinema, food and wine, space industry (astronomy), industrial design, sports, fashion, and artificial intelligence.
Culture
Turin is one of the major centers for universities, art, tourism, science, and culture in Italy. In its territory, there are also areas and buildings included in two sites protected by UNESCO: some palaces and areas belonging to the circuit of the Savoy Residences in Piedmont (world heritage site) and the Po Hills area (biosphere reserve). Turin is also known for some of the major symbols of "Made in Italy" worldwide, such as vermouth, Gianduiotto chocolate, grissini breadsticks, and espresso coffee.
Global City
The constant growth in international importance has made Turin reach the rank of a global city in the "Gamma" category, becoming the third Italian city after Milan and Rome to obtain this status.
Turin has a lot to offer, and if you're in the area, you should definitely visit. There is so much to see and do, including visiting historical sites, enjoying delicious Italian cuisine, admiring architecture, and much more. I really hope you'll have the opportunity to visit this wonderful city at least once in your life!
