|
|
 |
| |
|
Home > Travel Italy > Italy Destinations > Torino
Torino
Italy, officially the Italian Republic or Repubblica Italiana, is a Southern European country comprising of the Po River valley, the Italian Peninsula and the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. It is shaped like a boot and for this reason Italians commonly call it lo Stivale, the boot or, due to its prevalent peninsular
geographical nature, la Penisola, the Peninsula.
Turin is a major industrial city in Northwestern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the west bank of the Po River. The population of the city of Turin is 908,000 in 2004 census. Its metropolitan area totals about 1.7 million inhabitants. The province is one of the largest in Italy, with 6,830 square kilometers, and one of the most populous, with 2,236,941 inhabitants at the 2004 census. Turin is also well-known as the home of the Shroud of Turin and host of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
The name of Turin comes from Tau, a Celtic word that means mountains. Its Italian name, Torino, translates as little bull, hence the coat of arms and the symbol of the city. The area was settled by the Taurini in pre-Roman times. In the 1st century BC, Before Christ the Romans created a military camp, later dedicated to Augustus. The typical Roman street grid can still be seen in the modern city. Turin reached about 5,000 inhabitants at the time, all living inside the high walls.
Turin also has one of the worlds largest football clubs that is supported by a large number of Italians. Juventus F.C have always had a fierce rivalry with the Milan football club who is another massively supported team in the Serie A. The main sights in the city are The Palatine Towers, The Mole Antonelliana, The Basilica di Superga near Turin. Turin, justifiably so, enjoys a very positive reputation with worldwide travelers, and is one of the most visited place. It is also said the place of best geographical environment and can trace its origins back to prehistoric times.
Back to Italy Destinations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|