Turin, N Italy, is known for Shroud of Turin,
culture and many other things including production of FIAT automobile.
Therefore, also referred to as Automobile Capital of Italy or the Detroit of
Italy.
Nevertheless, before travelling to Turin, my image
of the city was to be filled with many chocolate stores. Turin is the capital
of the Piedmont region - rich in hazelnuts. It hosts annual chocolate festival
known as CioccolaTO. It is where the hazelnut chocolate was invented due to
lack of coco during Napoleon’s regency. The hazelnuts found in the surrounding
hills were substituted for coco and Gianduja was born.
I have to say it was nothing how I have imagined it.
If I didn’t know about the chocolate fact, I would have never guessed it after
visiting the city.
Turin’s historical architecture is predominantly
Baroque, filled with arcades. The reason for arcades was to give customers
protection from the rain or cold during the winter times. So they would visit
the shops despite the rain or cold.
After visiting Turin, there are two things that come
to mind, Shroud of Turin and arcades, no chocolates.
Shroud of Turin in the distance
City center
Famous Baratti & Milano Cafe
Royal Palace (above) and Archaeological Museum (below) are part of Turin Museum
Inside of Palazzo Madama - the first Senate of the Italian Kingdom
