Turin Self-Guided Audio Experience

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  Step through the magnificent gateway of Turin's history at Porta Nuova Station, an architectural masterpiece dating to 1861. Our audio guide reveals the hidden symbolism in its façade that represents Italy's unification dreams and Turin's industrial ambitions. As you explore at your leisure, discover how this hub connected Turin to Europe and transformed a royal city into an industrial powerhouse. Learn which famous historical figures passed through these halls, including secret meetings that changed Italy's destiny. The audio experience includes ambient sounds of steam locomotives and whispers of the past, transporting you to the golden age of rail travel while allowing you to appreciate this living monument at your own pace.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2

  Stroll Turin's most elegant thoroughfare, redesigned in the 1930s as a testament to architectural innovation and fascist grandeur. Our audio guide points out easy-to-miss details in the rationalist facades—hidden symbols, architectural puzzles, and the stories behind the exclusive boutiques housed beneath the distinctive porticoes. Discover the underground world beneath your feet and the secret passageways once used by the royal family. Unlike traditional tours, our immersive narration allows you to linger in charming cafés while continuing your historical journey. You'll learn which renowned artists and writers found inspiration along this avenue, transforming your walk into a journey through Turin's artistic soul while shopping or people-watching at your leisure.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3

  Marvel at this baroque jewel whose symmetrical façade conceals fascinating mysteries our audio guide will unveil. Designed by Filippo Juvarra in 1715, Santa Cristina shares Piazza San Carlo with its twin, San Carlo, creating one of Italy's most harmonious architectural ensembles. As you explore at your own pace, discover the church's connection to the powerful Savoy dynasty and the hidden symbolism in Juvarra's masterful design. Our expert narration reveals the astonishing story of Christina of France, the formidable royal who commissioned the church and wielded remarkable power in 17th-century Turin. The audio experience highlights artistic treasures missed by ordinary visitors, including paintings by Turin's finest baroque masters and architectural elements that inspired designers across Europe.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  Enter Turin's elegant "drawing room," where centuries of aristocratic intrigue and revolutionary ideas have unfolded beneath the watchful gaze of Emmanuel Philibert's bronze statue. Our audio guide reveals the hidden meanings in the piazza's symmetrical design and the significance of "Il Caval 'd Brons" statue that locals touch for luck. At your own pace, discover the historical café where Italy's unification was plotted and the spot where Turin's intellectuals gathered to shape a nation. Learn about the underground tunnels beneath your feet and their surprising uses throughout history. Our narration brings to life dramatic historical moments that occurred here, from royal processions to resistance activities, transforming your experience from simple sightseeing to a journey through Turin's social and political heart.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  Stand at the magnificent heart of Turin's royal power, where the majestic Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama testify to the Savoy dynasty's ambitions. Our audio guide decodes the square's strategic design, revealing how each building served the royal family's sophisticated power display. At your leisure, discover the hidden symbols in Palazzo Madama's baroque façade and the ancient Roman foundations beneath your feet. Learn which royal secrets were kept in these palaces and how Turin's café culture flourished under their shadow. Our expert narration points out architectural details missed by hurried tourists and shares the dramatic stories of royal scandals, political intrigue, and cultural revolutions that unfolded here, transforming your visit into a vivid journey through the city's aristocratic past.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  Step inside this extraordinary deception—a modest brick exterior concealing one of Italy's most spectacular baroque interiors. Commissioned by the Savoy family in 1634 to house the Holy Shroud, San Lorenzo represents Guarino Guarini's architectural genius. Our audio guide reveals the mathematical precision behind the church's breathtaking dome, whose innovative design creates an illusion of divine light descending from heaven. Explore at your own pace while learning about the secret astronomical alignments built into the structure and the hidden symbolism connecting the church to Turin's esoteric traditions. Our narration brings to life the competitive relationship between Guarini and other royal architects, and explains how this revolutionary building influenced baroque architecture across Europe, providing insights that transform your visit into a journey through mathematical brilliance and spiritual symbolism.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  Experience the recently restored masterpiece built to house Christianity's most mysterious relic. This extraordinary chapel, designed by Guarino Guarini, represents one of architecture's greatest achievements with its mathematically complex dome of diminishing hexagons rising toward heaven. Our audio guide explains the esoteric symbolism throughout the chapel and the architectural innovations that made this seemingly impossible structure a reality. At your own pace, discover the chapel's connection to the Holy Shroud's history and the devastating 1997 fire that nearly destroyed this treasure. Learn about the painstaking 21-year restoration process and the secrets revealed during the rebuilding. Our expert narration details how light transforms inside the space throughout the day and explains the hidden mathematical relationships that make this space uniquely harmonious—insights that transform your visit into a profound architectural and spiritual journey.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8

  Immerse yourself in Turin's gastronomic heart, where traditional Piedmontese flavors meet contemporary culinary innovation. Housed in a masterfully converted industrial building, this market represents Turin's ongoing transformation from royal capital to creative hub. Our audio guide leads you through the market's distinctive areas, revealing the stories behind local specialties and the cultural significance of Piedmont's slow food movement. At your leisure, discover the histories of family-run food businesses that have shaped Turin's culinary identity for generations. Learn about the architectural elements preserved from the building's industrial past and how they reflect Turin's manufacturing heritage. Our narration provides insider recommendations for the market's hidden gems and explains the seasonal specialties you might encounter, transforming your visit from simple sightseeing to a rich cultural and sensory experience.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  Discover Turin's spiritual anchor, a baroque masterpiece where centuries of citizens have sought divine intervention. This architectural jewel, remodeled by Guarino Guarini in the 17th century, houses one of Turin's most venerated Marian images and countless silver votive offerings. Our audio guide reveals the basilica's unusual octagonal design and the hidden symbolism throughout its sumptuous interior. At your own pace, explore the adjacent monastery and discover the historic café where Turin's intellectual elite gathered. Learn about the miraculous events associated with the sanctuary and how it became central to Turin's spiritual identity. Our narration explains the symbolism in Guarini's innovative dome design and points out artistic treasures missed by ordinary visitors, including works by Turin's finest baroque artists, transforming your experience into a journey through both architectural brilliance and profound spiritual tradition.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10

  Stroll along one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets, following the exact path of an ancient Roman road that once connected the empire. Our audio guide reveals how this thoroughfare—originally called the Decumanus Maximus—has been Turin's commercial backbone for over 2,000 years. At your leisure, discover the hidden courtyards concealing renaissance palaces and baroque gardens behind seemingly modest façades. Learn about the street's transformation through centuries and its role in Turin's revolutionary history. Our narration points out subtle architectural details that tell the story of the city's evolution and shares the histories of historic businesses that have operated here for generations. The audio experience includes recommendations for artisan workshops preserving traditional crafts and explains how this street embodies Turin's remarkable ability to blend ancient foundations with vibrant modern life.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11

  Discover the spiritual heart of Don Bosco's revolutionary work with Turin's disadvantaged youth, housed in this impressive 19th-century basilica. Our audio guide reveals how this site grew from humble beginnings to a worldwide educational movement that transformed thousands of lives. At your own pace, explore the basilica's neo-Renaissance design and the symbolic elements that reflect Don Bosco's practical spirituality. Learn about the saint's extraordinary methods that combined education, job training, and spiritual guidance for children during Turin's difficult industrialization period. Our narration brings to life the dramatic stories of the orphans and street children who found hope here and explains the global impact of the Salesian movement born in these buildings. The audio experience highlights artistic and architectural features missed by ordinary visitors, transforming your visit into an inspiring journey through one of Italy's most successful social revolutions.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 12

  Stroll beneath Turin's magnificent porticoes along this elegant thoroughfare connecting the royal palace to the Po River. Commissioned by the Savoy dukes in 1615. Our audio guide reveals the sophisticated urban planning behind this street and its role in Turin's baroque expansion. At your leisure, discover historic cafés where Italy's unification was debated and bookshops where revolutionary ideas flourished. Learn about the university buildings along the route and their connection to Turin's intellectual history. Our narration points out architectural details missed by ordinary visitors and explains how the street's perfect perspective creates an optical illusion drawing the eye toward the hills. The audio experience includes stories of famous writers, scientists, and revolutionaries who walked these porticoes, transforming your stroll into a journey through Turin's intellectual and cultural renaissance.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13

  Experience Europe's largest porticoed square, a breathtaking urban space offering one of Italy's most spectacular perspectives. Our audio guide reveals how this massive piazza, completed in 1825, represents Turin's expansion beyond its ancient boundaries toward the Po River. Discover the architectural harmony of the surrounding buildings and the brilliant urban planning that creates a perfect sight line from the square across the river to the Gran Madre church and the hills beyond. Learn about the square's transformation from royal showcase to the heart of Turin's social life and how it became the city's premier gathering place. Our narration explains the engineering challenges of building at this scale and points out subtle design elements missed by ordinary visitors. The audio experience includes stories of historic celebrations, political demonstrations, and cultural events that have unfolded here, transforming your visit into a journey through Turin's evolving identity.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14

  Discover this imposing neoclassical church built to celebrate King Victor Emmanuel I's return after Napoleon's defeat. Modeled after Rome's Pantheon, the church's prominent position creates Turin's most dramatic architectural vista. Our audio guide reveals the temple's connection to ancient Roman traditions and the hidden esoteric symbolism that makes it central to Turin's reputation for mystery. At your own leisure, explore the significance of the enigmatic statues of Faith and History flanking the staircase, and learn why treasure hunters and esoteric researchers have been fascinated by this site for centuries. Our narration explains the church's alignment with ancient solar worship sites and its rumored connection to the Holy Grail legends. The audio experience includes the stories behind the dramatic alpine panorama visible from the church steps and explains how this monument represents Turin's complex relationship with its royal past and spiritual traditions.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 15

  Ascend to this strategic hilltop where a 16th-century church offers Turin's most breathtaking panorama. Originally built as both spiritual retreat and military lookout, this Capuchin sanctuary rewards your climb with unparalleled views of the city, river, and Alpine backdrop. Our audio guide reveals how this elevated position has been sacred since pre-Roman times and strategically vital throughout Turin's military history. At your own pace, explore the church's austere beauty and discover the hidden meanings in its seemingly simple design. Learn about the underground crypts and their macabre decorations, missed by most visitors. Our narration brings to life the stories of the Capuchin monks who served Turin during plagues and wars, and explains how to identify every major landmark visible from this exceptional vantage point. The audio experience transforms your visit from a simple viewpoint stop to a profound understanding of Turin geographical significance and historical development.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 16

  Wander through Turin's beloved riverside park, where aristocratic pleasures and public recreation have blended for centuries. Our audio guide reveals how this green sanctuary evolved from royal hunting grounds to the elegant pleasure garden of a French princess, before becoming Turin's first public park. Learn about the 17th-century Valentino Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that brought French elegance to the Savoy court. Our narration points out hidden sculptures, botanical treasures, and architectural follies overlooked by ordinary visitors. The audio experience includes stories of historic exhibitions, romantic scandals, and scientific innovations that occurred here, explaining how this park reflects Turin's remarkable ability to preserve historical layers while creating spaces of timeless beauty. The riverside paths offer perfect opportunities to pause your exploration at charming cafés while continuing your historical journey.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Since this tour is a self-guided audio tour, you can choose where to start and finish according to your preference.
• How Our Self-Guided Audio Tour Works:
• 1. Receive Access Links: On your selected date of travel, before your start time, you'll receive a notification via email/message/WhatsApp containing two important links for your audio guide.
• 2. Audio Content (Link 1): Click on our secure SoundCloud web link to access the audio guides. You can listen to individual attraction guides or the entire tour to plan your visit. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the content before or during your tour.

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