Turin is a city in constant evolution: from Augusta Taurinorum (27 a.C.) to the capital of the Savoy Dukedom, (1563) until becoming Italy’s first capital (1861), the queen of the automobile industry (1899) and the star of the 2006 Winter Olympics. A city that is just waiting to be discovered in all of its many aspects: filled with historic evidence, acclaimed museums, works of contemporary art en plein air, cultural events, with its characteristic arcades, renowned historical meeting places, spacious parks and magic places.

The arrival of the group from Milan is scheduled at 9.30 to meet the guide and start a tour on foot of the “Cit Turin” Art Deco District: a vision of speed and flowing movement was fundamental to the designs established in art nouveau and its era coincided with the firing up of the Italian automobile industry. Fiat (1899) and Lancia (1906) started production in the back streets of Turin. Fiat’s original blue-floral logo and Lancia’s whiplash (characteristic curves), twirling lettering were typical of the movement’s regard for dynamism. Italians termed their own variation of art nouveau Stile Liberty, and after Turin’s international exhibition of decorative arts in 1902, the city was its undisputed capital. 

Liberty©Aretini_Turismo Torino e Provincia

Afterwards, the transfer to the Modern Art Gallery (GAM) is planned; the group enjoys a light lunch at the cafeteria of the Museum -offered by the City of Turin- before visiting the art collection: it showcases over 45,000 works including paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, besides a rich collection of drawings and engravings and one of the most important European collections of art films and videos. Relying on this wealth, GAM holds true to its initial commitment regarding contemporary research, weaving a continuous exchange between its own historical works and today’s cultural debate, and setting a close relationship for its exhibition program between contemporary and historical collections.

GAM©Saroldi_Fondazione Torino Musei

Next, is the city tour on foot focusing on Rational Architecture that climax in the visit of the Museum of Resistance and “Pole of 20th century”: a cultural centre open to residents and visitors, aimed mostly at the young generations. Thanks to the richness of the documents and to the knowledge and heritage of the many cultural institutions involved in the project, the Pole is becoming a space of confrontation between remembrance and current events.

 

The end of the visit is in the “Roman Quadrangle” where participants can enjoy some free time in this lively neighborhood before leaving for Milan at 6 pm approximately.