Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In 1969 the church was memorably featured in the film
The Italian Job
when Michael
Caine and his gang drove their Mini Coopers down the front staircase.
Lingotto
Turin's former Fiat factory, which was redesigned by architect Renzo Piano into a con-
gress and exhibition centre. In addition to two striking NH hotels, it houses congress facil-
ities and the precariously perched 'treasure chest' rooftop gallery
Pinacoteca Giovanni e
Marella Agnelli
(
www.pinacoteca-agnelli.it
; Via Nizza 230; adult/reduced €4/2.50; 10.30am-7pm Tue-
Sun)
, with masterpieces by Canaletto, Renoir, Manet, Matisse and Picasso, among others.
Lingotto is on Turin's most recent metro line and is easily accessible from the city
centre.
LANDMARK
Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile
( 011 67 76 66;
www.museoauto.it
; Corso Unità d'Italia 40; adult/reduced €8/6; 10am-7pm Wed,
Thu & Sun, to 9pm Fri & Sat, to 2pm Mon, 2-7pm Tue; Lingotto)
Reopened after extensive
renovations in 2012, and now befitting of a city that is the HQ of one of the world's lead-
ing car manufacturers (the 'T' in Fiat stands for 'Torino'), this dashing museum pays
homage to the motor car and is anchored by a precious collection of over 200 automobiles
- everything from an 1892 Peugeot to a 1980 Ferrari 308 (in red, of course).
Displaying an only-in-Italy panache for interior design, the museum - rather than leav-
ing you to gawp helplessly at boring engines - takes you on a rollercoaster journey spread
over three floors; the first part a car chronology, the second a more technical look at car
design, and the third a self-critical assessment of issues such as pollution and congestion.
Don't worry if you hate cars, you'll love this museum. Located roughly 5km south of the
city centre.
MUSEUM
BASILICA
Basilica di Superga
(
www.basilicadisuperga.com
; Strada della Basilica di Superga 73)
In 1706 Vittorio Amedeo II
promised to build a basilica to honour the Virgin Mary if Turin was saved from besieging
French and Spanish armies. Like a religious epiphany, the city was saved and architect
Filippo Juvarra built the church on a hill across the Po river.
Basilica di Superga became the final resting place of the Savoy family, whose lavish
tombs make for interesting viewing, as does the dome here.
