This is the home of the Provincial Administration but it also hosts photographic and painting exhibitions. The building, an old palace of the Dukes of Aosta, has recently been restored and guided tours are available.
The Madonna del Pilone is a bit away from the city centre and is very popular with the Torinesi. It has a large votive stake. The image of the Madonna was erected on this as a thank you for a miraculous event which took place here on 29th April 1644. The church was opened to the public in 1645, the year after the works began. Particularly distinctive are eight ovals, the work of Albornoz, placed on the cornice. These depict the miracle which led to the building of the church and others which are always attributed to the protective presence of the Madonna.
At the mouth of the Val di Susa, on the top of Monte Pirchiriano, the Sacra di San Michele, also known as the Abbey della Chiusa, rises in all its majestic impressiveness. To reach the top, leave the car about 1 kilometre away and walk up through the wood. On Entering the walls of the fortified abbey follow the long staircase which leads to the church of San Michele at the top. The complex is also remarkable for its ruins of ancient splendour, as well as the view that can be enjoyed along the walk that leads to the top.
This is an extremely old church which has undergone several modifications through the course of time. The austere, seventeenth century aspect built to the wish of Vittone who planned it in the shape of a Greek cross and with a modest facade, finished in 1766. In 1629, C. di Castellamonte made the belltower and an altar in 1645. The current church is a seventeenth century remodel by Feroggio, which he did after the second world war.
The first stone of the Santa Rita da Cascia designed by the architect Valoni, was laid in 1929. Since its completion it has been a destination for pilgrims from all over Italy and abroad. The church is splendid and a great location to unwind. The masses and the hours of confessions take place on diffreent days in different times. The St. Vincent is located in the spaces below the church-called Tibi Dabo. The LIbrary of Spirituality is another spot in the sanctuary that is frequented by most visitors. Every section of the sanctuary has varied opening hours. Please check the website for further details.
If you decide to accept the challenge of making the climb up the Monte dei Cappuccini, you will find the church of Santa Maria del Monte on the top next to the national museum. The church was built on the spot where a structure that used to be known as the "bastion of Turin" used to stand. A statue of St. Mary stands in front of the centrally laid out ground plan. The smoothed corners of the church form an octagonal design in which there are apses of various depth. The right altar is decorated with a copy of the painting by Cerano of the "Madonna and Saints Francis and Laurence". The original is held in the Savoy Gallery. The high altar is a 17th c. work by Carlo and Amedeo di Castellamonte. The left altar contains the painting "The martyrdom of St. Maurice" by Moncalvo from the early 17th c.
Open: 8.30a-noon, 3p-7.30p Services: Weekdays: 6.30p; Weekends: 11a, 5p