Turin and surroundings

Situated in the North West of the country, on the banks of the Po River and surrounded by the Alps, Turin is the administrative centre of the Piedmont Region and the third biggest city in Italy. The urban area is  bordered by what has always been historically known as the "Corona delle Delizie", the crown or ring of delights, formed by the Royal Residences dotted around the outside of the city.

The biggest attraction is the city itself with its cultural offerings, thanks to a wide range of museums, sites, monuments, churches, parks, theatres and events which take place all year round. More than two thousand years of history have contributed to build up this incredible heritage: from the Roman Empire, through the Middle Ages, the Savoy court, becoming the first capital of Italy in 1861 over the Risorgimento, to being the capital of Italian industrial production over the 20th century with FIAT.

Turin's exciting lifestyle is particularly appreciated by young people and students, willing to pursue their academic careers in this city. Over the last years, great work has been done to improve the services of the city to the student community. From a brand new campus, to a higher number of study rooms and housing options, to transportation and student-friendly policies, Turin is now a very much student-oriented city.

Turin continues to be a centre of European and international culture, which discloses a city of monuments, royal palaces, churches, spirituality, events, music, galleries, cinema and literature.

From the Royal Palace to the Church of Consolata, the Regio Teathre and the National Museum of Cinema, the cultural itineraries are countless, and never predictable. And there's an infinite choice of attractions outside the city as well: in Rivoli Castle whose Baroque rooms host the Museum of Contemporary Art; in Canavese where the castles of Agliè and Masino are gems of post-Renaissance architecture surrounded by beautiful gardens; in the Susa and Chisone Valleys where there are the ancient fortresses of Fenestrelle and Exilles that barred the way to the Alpine passes.

Alternatively there is a very special itinerary taking in abbeys, monasteries and sacred mounts: starting with the Basilica of Superga, on Turin's hills, and the Saint Michael's Abbey at the mouth of the Susa Valley, some of Piedmont's symbols recognised all over the world.