Piazza Castello

The Piazza Castello is the old quarter of Turin in which you will find many of the city's primary draws. This district houses a number of museums as well as the Duomo di Torino e Cappella della Sacra Sindone, better known as the Church of Torino (or Cathedral of John the Baptist) and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. Adjoining this church is the opulent Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace), which served as the seat of Savoy power and the House of Savoy's royal residence from the middle 1500s to the 19th century.

In addition to the aforementioned palace, Piazza Castello is also home to the Palazzo Madama, the royal palace rebuilt by French princess Christine Marie and Sicilian architect Filippo Juvarra, as well as the Palazzo di Città (town hall).

Some Roman ruins also occupy this area; the main one is Porta Palatina, the north gate of the old Roman town, notable for its two brick towers. Two smaller churches, Santi Martiri and Santuario della Consolata are nearby.

You will enjoy walking around the plazas and exploring the palaces, and the museums are also worth a look. Of note are the Museo di Antichità, which houses prehistoric art and artifacts dating back to Roman times, as well as the National Museum of Film.

In the southern end of Piazza de Castello is the Stadia Comunale, known for its Marathon Tower and enjoyed for its 2 open air swimming pools and indoor pool.

Get to the Piazza de Castello by following the Via Roma, the main traffic artery of the city.