City Centre & San Salvario
The Centro district of Turin is the city's oldest and most historic district, in which the main monuments are located and which, together with Crocetta, gives rise to District 1. To identify it, it can be said to be bounded to the north by Corso Regina Margherita, to the south by Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, to the west by Corso Inghilterra and to the east by the river Po. The city's central area is very elegant and develops mainly around Piazza Castello from which four main pedestrian streets branch off, or converge: Via Garibaldi, Via Po, Via Roma and Via Pietro Micca. The area is also known as the Quadrilatero Torinese, i.e., the first 'chessboard' urban structure the ancient Romans founded. It is interesting to note this because the streets and road system layout is almost the same as it was then, i.e., Turin has perfectly parallel and perpendicular streets. This is particularly convenient when unfamiliar with the city's geography and you must find your way around. South-east of the Centre is another historic district of Turin, namely San Salvario, which is part of Circoscrizione 8. To the north it is bounded by Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, to the south by Corso Bramante, to the west by a stretch of the railway and to the east by the river Po. Also, part of San Salvario is the Valentino Park, the city's most famous and busiest, making the district one of the greenest in Turin. In addition, this whole area is known for its widespread multi-ethnic population, especially near the Porta Nuova Station, and for its wealth of clubs and restaurants.
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What to see and do
We begin our tour of the centre of Turin from its squares: Piazza Castello, the heart of the city, where you can visit the Royal Palace and the Royal Gardens that extend all around. This square is also home to the Teatro Regio and the Royal Church of San Lorenzo, which housed the Holy Shroud for many years. The architectural complex comprises Palazzo Madama and Casaforte degli Acaja, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside the palace is the Museo Civico diArte Antica, and a few steps away is the Duomo di Torino, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the city's patron saint. In Piazza San Carlo, nicknamed 'the living room of the city' for its elegant arcades, shops, jewellers and cafés, you can admire two Baroque churches, called the Twin Churches, that of San Bartolomeo and that of Santa Cristina. Various events, concerts and shows are organised and staged in this square.
From Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Turin's largest square surrounded by arcades and cafés, you can admire the Church of the Grande Madre di Dio (Great Mother of God), which can be reached by crossing the bridge. Other sights not to be missed are Palazzo Carignano, which houses the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento, and Teatro Carignano. Last but not least, the Mole Antonelliana, the symbol of the city and home to the National Museum of Cinema, one of the most important in the world for the richness of its heritage. The Egyptian Museum, the oldest in the world, houses sarcophagi and artefacts of extreme value, and the MAO - Museo d'Arte Orientale di Torino (Museum of Oriental Art of Turin) with Asian art and craft objects. In San Salvario, the main attraction is the large Valentino Park, Turin's green lung, loved and frequented by all citizens. One can take walks, jogging, organise a picnic, or enjoy the open air. Inside, you can visit the Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now home to the Faculty of Architecture, and the Botanical Garden consisting of small greenhouses, a grove, an alpine garden, and a garden. The district is also home to the Cesare Lombroso Museum, for those interested in the world of criminal psychology, and the Synagogue, the most unusual building in the area that managed to survive the bombings of World War II.
Where to eat and drink
There are plenty of restaurants and places to eat and drink, and indeed San Salvario is one of the neighbourhoods where the youngest people gather to spend the evening. But let's start with something typical, among the restaurants where you can enjoy Turin and Piedmontese cuisine we have Ristò - La Trattoria del Buon Mangiare. A homemade restaurant with a very well-cared-for setting, the cooking is simple but genuine, made from handed-down recipes. We continue with Osteria al Tagliere for typical Piedmontese specialities, cold meats and cheeses in a sober tavern. Or Restaurant Pino&Pino offers both Piedmontese and Calabrian dishes, strange but true. Hearty dishes and homemade pasta at Locanda da Betty, inside and on the terrace, or Trattoria Bar Coco's, in San Salvario, for first courses, main courses and desserts in a tavern with a homely atmosphere.
For fish lovers, Trattoria Anna since 2001, carpaccio and fritto misto, the place has simple furnishings and a family atmosphere. For out-of-region tastes, Trattoria Un Pizzico di Puglia, where you can try first and second courses, fried food and the ever-present panzerotti. Or La Ferramenta del Gusto Emiliano to taste everything from lasagne to tortellini to salumi with gnocco fritto. There is also a wide choice of pizzerias, for example, Fra Diavolo, Pizzeche 'e Vase, Napples - Antica Pizzeria e Friggitoria Partenopea, Da Ciccillo and many others. If you are in the mood for international cuisine, between the Centro and San Salvario areas you will find several options, including Chinese and sushi restaurants, Indian restaurants, e.g., Taj Mahal, Mexican, such as Alma Latina, many kebabs and other Spanish, Palestinian and even Caribbean proposals. When aperitif time arrives in San Salvario you are spoilt for choice and some of the best places are: Beerba, an apericena full of real dishes, Beena, an Indian apericena, Casa Proseccheria, for Venetian-style cicchetti and bubbly, SoundArt, with appetisers, pizzettas, pasta, sweets and fruit, La Locanda Clandestina, for both rich aperitifs and brunch and breakfast, Eria, a green terrace that is both a bistro and a cafeteria. A great place for tea and infusions is the Teapot, the style is familiar and vintage, there is also a fireplace, books, and a terrace.
Where to go shopping
In the centre of Turin are the main shopping streets characterised by large arcades where you can stroll. Via Garibaldi, a pedestrian island that connects Piazza Castello and Piazza Statuto, is the reference point for young fashion. If you are looking for the latest trends and all the major franchise brands, this is the place for you. Shops include: Accessorize, Imperial, Muji, Intimissimi, Goldenpoint, Rinascimento and so on. On the other hand, in the side streets, such as Via Barbaroux and Via dei Mercanti, you will find a number of antiques, vintage-style and jewellery shops. Via Roma, connects Piazza Castello to Porta Nuova Station, where some of the most luxurious boutiques such as Gucci, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Armani, Dolce&Gabbana and many others can be found. There are also other mid- to high-end shops, such as Pennyblack, Max&Co and MaxMara.
To continue with the big names, one can also walk along the parallel streets Lagrange and Carlo Alberto, as well as the Galleria San Federico where there is a very chic Coop outlet. Another landmark street is Via Po, especially for those in search of alternative style and also for stands selling vinyls, used and new books, ethnic clothing shops, and extravagant boutiques. Via Cesare Battisti, where the Galleria Subalpina is located, is a shopping arcade built for the bourgeoisie and now houses some of Turin's historical shops: the bookshop La Casa del Libro, where you can also find antique books, the antiquarian bookshop Giliberti, shops selling souvenirs of the past, Art Deco furnishing accessories, the Ottica Gallery for sunglasses and eyeglasses and other shops selling household items and various curiosities in the gift sector. In San Salvario there are various food shops, ethnic shops, clothing shops and craft workshops. Here you will also find Cappelleria Viarani, the city's historic hat shop, and Telerie Piperno, for fabrics, lace and lace of all kinds. In addition, Turin is the city of markets, there is one in every district, in the centre for example in Piazza Benefica and in Crocetta between Corso De Gasperi, Einaudi and Galileo Ferraris.
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