Piazza Castello
Piazza Castello is right in the centre of Turin and the
point where Via Po, Via Roma and Via Garibaldi converge.
Comissioned by Carlo Emmanuele I and first designed by
Ascanio Vitozzi in the 16th century, Piazza Castello was the power
base of the Dukes of Savoy and today consists of a broad square in which
pedestrians, cars, buses and trams all vie for priority.
In the centre of the piazza is Palazzo Madama (above),
a fusion of a Roman gate, mediaeval castle and baroque facade, while
the square is surrounded by buildings such as the Palazzo Reale,
the Armeria Reale, the Teatro Regio and the Royal Library.
The latter contains works by da Vinci, while the nearby
Piazzetta Mollino houses the State Archives. Also close by is
the Church of San Lorenzo.
Palazzo Madama is interesting for another reason,
as it is where the father of Carlo Emmanuele I, Duke Emanuele Filiberto,
was supposed to have indulged in alchemy.
The arcades surrounding the square offer good shelter
from the sun in the summer, behind which you can find a variety of shops
and cafés and in the winter the square is equipped with an ice
rink.
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