Rubiana
Hi! Today I want to talk about Turin, an Italian city full of history and culture. Turin is located in Piedmont, a region in northwestern Italy. It is the fourth largest city in Italy by population and has about 842,472 inhabitants (as of October 31, 2022). Turin is also the capital of the Piedmont region and the Metropolitan City of Turin.
History
Turin has a very ancient history, dating back to the third century BC when it was founded by the Taurini. Later, it became a Roman colony thanks to Emperor Augustus who called it ''Iulia Augusta Taurinorum''. Following the Ostrogoth domination, Turin became the capital of the important Duchy of Turin. In the eleventh century, it passed under the nominal lordship of the House of Savoy and in 1563 became its capital. In 1720, after being the capital of the March of Turin, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia. Finally, when Italy was unified, Turin was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 to 1865.
The City
Turin is a very important city for the Italian economy. It is the third largest industrial production and economic complex in the country (together with Milan and Genoa) and one of the major centers of universities, arts, tourism, science, and culture in Italy. Moreover, the city is known for some of its typical products such as vermouth, Gianduiotti, grissini, and espresso coffee. Turin is also the center of the Italian automotive industry, publishing, banking and insurance, information technology, cinema, food and wine, space sector (astronomy), industrial design, sports, fashion, and artificial intelligence.
Physical Geography
Turin is located in the plain delimited by the Stura di Lanzo, Sangone, and Po rivers. The Po river crosses the city from south to north. Turin is also facing the mouth of some alpine valleys such as the Susa Valley, which connects the city to nearby France through the Frejus tunnels (Frejus railway tunnel and Frejus road tunnel), the Lanzo Valleys, and the Sangone Valley.
UNESCO Heritage
In the territory of Turin, there are areas and buildings included in two UNESCO protected sites: some palaces and areas belonging to the circuit of the Savoy Residences in Piedmont (World Heritage), and the Po hills area (Biosphere Reserve).
Events and Festivals
In 2006, Turin hosted the XX Winter Olympic Games, in 2021 (until at least 2025) the ATP Finals, and in 2022 the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. Turin is also very active culturally throughout the year with numerous events and festivals, such as the Book Fair, the Salone del Gusto, and the Turin Film Festival.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Turin is a very important city for Italian history and economy. It is a place rich in culture, heritage, and events! I hope you have learned something more about the city of Turin and have the desire to visit it!
