Some Italians may tell you Turin is “The Detroit of Italy.” Don’t believe it. It received the unfortunate moniker because of the Fiat factory, but Fiat has downsized and smokestacks have given way to a wonderful old town, beautiful architecture and some of the best food in Europe. If you’re going to the Olympics, clip and file this miniguide. If you’re not going to the Olympics, clip and file for a future holiday. Go here instead of overrated Milan. Milan is Newark with a big church.
The 10 things you need to know about Turin:
Place of power
Turin once was the seat of the Italian Parliament after unification in 1861.
Going for Baroque
It remains the European capital of Baroque architecture, a Roman style of flowing, curving lines accented in gold. It covers many of the 12 miles of porticoed promenades that snake around downtown.
Not exactly Tic-Tacky
If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t starve during the Olympics. Turin is Italy’s chocolate capital and hosts a three-week chocolate festival in March. Don’t miss grappini (chocolates filled with grappa, Italy’s grape-based liqueur). Also, Turin is home to Tic Tacs.
The house Juventus built
America has the New York Yankees; Turin has Juventus. The soccer giant has won 28 Italian Serie A titles, including three of the past four. It’s well on its way to another with a record of 20-1-2 as of this writing. You can catch the team in action the afternoon of the closing ceremony Feb. 26 against Lecce.
Shrouded in mystery
Turin’s most famous tourist attraction is seen by very few tourists. The Shroud of Turin, allegedly the linen cloth Jesus was buried in, was last made public in 2000. The Catholic Church announced it won’t be displayed again until 2025. For a bad substitute, check out Shroud paraphernalia at the Museo della Sindone on Via San Domenico 28.
Great for gourmets
Food in Italy is Italian by name only. It’s heavily regionalized. The cuisine of Piedmont, of which Turin is the capital, has a heavy French accent. White truffles are common here, as are game birds such as pheasant and quail. And don’t miss the Barolo wine, which along with Bordeaux, is arguably the best red wine in the world.
Palace of fine flicks
The Museo Nazionale del Cinema (Movie Museum) might be in the most unusual building in Europe. The Mole Antonelliana is a 550-foot wooden structure with a towering aluminum needle, which is on nearly every Olympics souvenir. Go inside and watch movies from the theme rooms.
Riverside reverie
If you’re tired of sports and crowds, retire to Parco Valentino along the River Po. It’s where rollerbladers, joggers, picnickers and lots and lots of lovers gather in the French-style park opened in 1856.
Real slice of Italy
Turin’s best pizza, according to the Torinesi, is at Mamma Mia on Corso San Maurizio 32. More than 45 pizzas are served on giant wooden boards.
Caffeine and politics
For a taste of old Turin, have coffee at Caffe San Carlo, Piazza San Carlo 156. It’s where nationalists and intellectuals harped about government in the 1840s and where Turin’s beautiful people harp about it in 2006.
John Henderson can be reached at 303-820-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
