Basilica di Superga ★★

A thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary for Turin's deliverance from the French siege of 1706

Vittorio Amedeo II commissioned Juvarra, the Sicilian architect who did his greatest work in Turin, to build this baroque basilica on a hill high above the city. The exterior, with a beautiful neoclassic porch and lofty drum dome, is far more interesting than the gloomy interior, a vast circular chamber beneath the dome with six side chapels. The church more or less serves as a pantheon for the House of Savoy, whose tombs are scattered about, many in the so-called Crypt of Kings beneath the main chapel. There's a fine view of the Alps from the terrace in front. The trip up to the basilica on a narrow-gagued railway through verdant parkland is a favorite Torinese outing.

Tips & links

Share this page

Search ReidsItaly.com