Turin, situated in northern Italy on the narrowest part of the Po Valley is a modern and vibrant city surrounded by picturesque hills. Architecturally Turin is very attractive with an old centre of narrow cobblestone streets and plenty of elegant buildings with a mix of Renaissance and Baroque styles. Turin has plenty of historical sites such as Palazzo Madama situated in Piazza Castello, the city’s artistic and historic centre, The Royal Palace and the Antonellian Mole which has become the symbol of Turin and with its 167.50 m was until not long ago the tallest masonry construction in Europe. Turin is famous for holding the Sacred Shroud, the sheet believed to have held Jesus after his death on the cross, in a chapel of the Dome, a fantastic example of Renaissance architecture. The Egyptian Museum in the Palace of the Science Academy designed by the architect Guarini is second only to the Cairo Museum. The Valentino, a beautiful park covering a surface of about 427.294 square metres on the left bank of the Po River, is a fantastic place for a picnic, cycling or for long walks by the river or along the beautifully kept paved footpaths surrounded by very well designed flower beds and fountains. The park is also the home of the Valentino Castle, which today hosts the University of Architecture, the Botanical Garden and the Borgo Medievale, the authentic reconstruction of a typical medieval hamlet in Piedmont. The birth place of FIAT the car manufacturing company, Turin is a happening place hosting many events every year. The 2006 Winter Olympics have just happened and with the Alps so close it is a good starting point for a skiing break. Turin offers a fantastic selection of restaurants, brasseries and cafés where to enjoy a rich hot chocolate and has a lively and diverse nightlife.
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