Tavagnasco
Hi! Today I will talk to you about Turin, a city with a lot to offer. Turin, founded by the Taurini around the 3rd century BC, is located in the plain delimited by the Stura di Lanzo, Sangone and Po rivers, at the mouth of some alpine valleys. With its 842,472 inhabitants (as of October 31, 2022), it is the fourth municipality in Italy by population and the heart of a metropolitan area of Turin that has about 1.7 million inhabitants.
Economy and Cultural Activities
Economy and Industrial Production
Turin is considered the third economic and industrial production complex in the country. Along with Milan and Genoa, it constituted the industrial triangle during the years of the Italian economic miracle. Today, the city is the hub of the Italian automotive industry and an important center of publishing, finance, information technology, cinema, and artificial intelligence.
Cultural Activities
Turin is also an important university center and center of art, tourism, and science. In its territory, there are areas and buildings included in two UNESCO-protected sites: some palaces and areas belonging to the circuit of Savoy residences in Piedmont (World Heritage Site) and the Po hills area (Biosphere Reserve). Turin also hosts important international events such as the International Exhibition of Turin in 1911, the XX Winter Olympic Games in 2006, the ATP Finals from 2021, and the famous Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
Food and Wine
Turin is the birthplace of some of the greatest symbols of "Made in Italy" in the world, such as vermouth, Gianduiotti chocolates, breadsticks, and espresso coffee. Furthermore, the city is renowned for its refined and traditional cuisine.
History
Foundation
The city was founded near its current location around the 3rd century BC by the Taurini, a Celtic population that arrived in today's Piedmont from Gaul.
Roman Age
Subsequently, the city was transformed into a Roman colony by Augustus in the 1st century BC with the name of "Iulia Augusta Taurinorum". The city became an important commercial and military crossroads during the Roman Empire.
Medieval Age
After the Ostrogothic dominion, the city was the capital of an important Duchy of Turin, and then, after becoming the capital of the Marquisate of Turin, it passed, under the nominal lordship of the House of Savoy in the 11th century.
Modern Age
In the 16th century, Turin became the capital of the Duchy of Savoy, and in 1720 it became the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia, a state that in the 19th century would lead to the Risorgimento and to the perfect fusion in 1847. In 1861, Turin became the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy, which lasted until 1946.
Conclusions
Global City
Turin's growing importance on the international level has made it reach the rank of a global city in the "Gamma" category, after Milan and Rome.
Cultural Heritage
Turin is a city rich in history and cultural heritage. From the fascinating Savoy palaces to the Po hills, from the famous culinary specialties to scientific cultural activities, Turin has a lot to offer.
