religious tours  piedmont

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Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista

The present-day cathedral was the first example in Turin of Renaissance architecture and was built at the behest of Bishop Domenico Della Rovere on the site of three medieval churches dedicated to the Saviour, John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary. The project was assigned to the Tuscan architect Meo del Caprina and was carried out between 1491 and 1498. In the 17th Century the building was restructured with the addition of the Chapel of the Holy Shroud which was designed by Guarino Guarini and links the Cathedral to the Royal Palace. The Bell Tower of Saint Andrew, completed in 1469, was erected in 1720 to a design by Filippo Juvarra.
The façade, comprising three elegant doorways, is unusual in that it is covered with white marble and is somewhat of an anomaly when compared to other contemporary brick facades. The interior of the church is arranged in the form of a latin cross with three naves in the gothic style. The lateral chapels have devotional altars and the second altar in the right hand nave is host to the polittico della Compagnia dei Calzolai by Martino Spanzotti and Defendente Ferrari.
The stairs to the side and at the end of the presbytery lead to the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. This chapel was built between 1668 and 1694 by Guarino Guarini and is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. It is currently under restoration after the fire of April 11th 1997.

Santuario di Maria Consolatrice
(La Consolata)

The Sanctuary of Maria Consolatrice, linked to the cult of the Virgin, has ancient origins. Originally dedicated to Saint Andrew, it already existed in the 10th century. The bell tower and possibly the underground chapel of the Madonna delle Grazie, still remain from the medieval era. Guarino Guarini is responsible for the radical plans for extension (1678) and Filippo Juvarra for the addition of the oval presbytery (1729). The Neo-Classical façade dates from 1860 and further enrichments from the period 1899 - 1904 were carried out under the guidance of Carlo Ceppi. The interior space is configured in order to enhance the sumptuous main Juvarra altar on which can be found two adoring angels in white marble by Carlo Antonio Tantardini and an image of miracles performed by the Consolata.

Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio

This circular church was built in strict Neo-Classical style between 1827 and 1831 by Ferdinand Bonsignore to celebrate the return of Vittorio Emanuele I to Turin after the Congress of Vienna. In the interior of the church there is a sculpture of the Virgin and Child by Andrea Galassi on the main altar. Also of interest is the magnificent crypt which contains the bones of the fallen from the First World War, designed by the architect Giovanni Ricci in 1932.

Chiesa di Maria SS. Ausiliatrice

Founded by Don Bosco between 1865 and 1868 and built to the plans of Antonio Spezia, this church was enlarged and enriched between 1935 and 1938. The façade is in the Neo-Palladian style and a statue of the Madonna by Camillo Boggio (1867) can be found inside the dome.
The interior is in the form of a single nave richly decorated in coloured marble and houses the remains of San Giovanni Bosco. The fresco in the dome which depicts the Glory of the Virgin was painted by Giuseppe Rollini. On the main altar there is a painting by Tommaso Lorenzone (1868) which represents Maria Ausiliatrice.

Basilica di Superga

Conceived and constructed by Filippo Juvarra between 1717 and 1731, this church is dedicated to the birth of Mary and is the site of the royal tombs. Tradition has it that it was built at request of Vittorio Amedeo II as the fulfilment of a vow made after the victory of 1706 against the French. The choice of site, within sight of the Royal Palace of Rivoli, was intended to underline the regal dignity of The House of Savoy, acquired after the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.
The circular church is dominated by the 75 metre dome and flanked by twin 60 metre high bell towers. An imposing portico of eight Corinthian columns fronts the facade. Inside the church the play of light on the stucco and marble decorations of the altar and floor creates striking effects. The main altar, the frame of which was designed by Filippo Juvarra , is decorated with a marble bass-relief by Bernardino Cametti depicting the glorious battle for the liberation of Turin.
The lateral chapels are enriched by the paintings and sculptures of Beaumont, Sebastiano Ricci, Carlo Antonio Tantardini, Bernardino Cametti and Agostino Cornacchini.

Tempio Valdese

The temple, in the Neo-Gothic style, was built by the architect Luigi Formento between 1851 and 1853 to celebrate the victory won by the Valdesi in their struggle for religious freedom.

Tempio Israelitico

The synagogue, in oriental taste, was constructed by Enrico Petiti in 1884 after the Jewish community of Turin, deeming the Mole not suitable for worship, had withdrawn the commission from Antonelli. It was built after the bombing of the Second World War.