|
One of Juvarra's masterpieces of baroque Italian
architecture, site of the Savoy Royal Tomb, and the 'Hall of Popes'.
Local destinations
Acqui Terme
Asti
Canelli
Monferrato Hills
Nizza Monferrato
Rocchetta Tanero
Day trips
Bergamo
Genoa - old port
Lake Maggiore
Lake Orta
Mondovi
Portofino peninsula
Riviera of Palms
Turin
More information ?
If you would like more information please call me on:-
0039 0141 851 154
or send me an email,
If you would like us to
keep in touch, please fill in and
send us the form on the Registration page.
We look forward to hearing from you.
© Kerrie Barker 2007
|
 In
1706, Turin, the capital city of Savoy, was beseiged by the French. Duke
Vittorio Amadeus climbed to the top of the hill overlooking the city where,
at a shrine to the Virgin Mary, he prayed for victory.
His prayers were heard; the French were defeated. In thanks, he commissioned the
construction of the Basilica Church 'La Superga' on the site. The church is
one of the great baroque masterpieces of Italian architecture, and the original shrine
to the Virgin is
still preserved within it.
The church was designed by Juvarra, the
architect from Sicily who was brought to Turin to rebuild the city's most
important palazzi. In order to execute his design, it was necessary
to flatten the hill top by 40 metres, using just picks, spades and
wheelbarrows. This and other delays meant that the grand opening was delayed
until 1731 - by which time Vittorio Amadeo had abdicated in favour of his
son, Carlo Emanuelle - who forbade his father from attending the opening.
The church, with its marvellous dome, is
freely open to the public. In addition, there are regular guided tours (fee
payable) of the Royal Apartments, and of the Royal tomb, where over 60
members of the Savoy dynasty are buried. This tour also includes a viewing
of the 'Hall of Popes', which contains a portrait of all of them (some, I
assume, are purely representative)
To reach La Superga by car:-
-
from central Turin, cross to the east
bank of the River Po and head north along the embankment, following the
numerous brown signs
-
to avoid Turin, leave the A21 motorway
for Chieri, from where it is signposted
Historic tram
Alternatively, it is possible to travel from
Turin city centre to La Superga by historic tram.
The Sassi - Superga line was
originally built as a funicular railway and opened in 1884, being converted
to a rack tramway in 1934. The journey today is made by a motor tram with
two carraiges which date from then.
The 3.1km journey takes 18
minutes, during which the tram climbs 425 metres giving wonderful panoramic
views across the city.
Sassi station has been
renovated and holds a permanent exhibition recording the history of the
line, a beautiful garden maintained in the style of the turn of the century,
and has a restaurant.
At the summit of the line is
the Visitor Centre for the Superga city park, with explanatory panels and
exhibitions.
Sassi station can be
reached by tram 15, which runs through Via XX Settembre, close to Porto
Nuovo railway station. There is a website at
www.stazionesassi.it
E mail:
kerrie@anitalianadventure.co.uk
0039 0141 851 154
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions
Site Map |
