Today, I want to introduce you to Gran Balon, the famous and historic market for antiques, vintage items, and collecting that takes place every second Sunday of the month in the historic center of Turin.
The origins of Gran Balon date back to 1985 when it was created to promote the Borgo Dora neighborhood and to boost the local commerce. Initially, the idea was to create a second-hand and antiques market that could attract both locals and tourists, offering an alternative to traditional markets and Borgo Dora itself proved to be the perfect location for such an event.
Over the years, Gran Balon has grown in size and popularity, becoming a regular event for collectors, antiquarians and curious visitors. Today, the market covers a large area, spreading across Via Lanino, Via Mameli, Canale Carpanini, Cortile del Maglio and Borgo Dora, counting hundreds of exhibitors.
What will you find among the various stalls? Here, you can discover a wide range of items: antique furniture, vintage objects, books, prints, retro clothing, jewelry, antique toys and much more. Each corner of Gran Balon tells a different story and is the perfect place to find unique and rare pieces!
Walking among the stalls, you’ll immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere rich in history, thanks especially to the exhibitors who, with their passion and knowledge, will help you uncover curiosities and anecdotes about the items for sale and , who knows, you might even find a small treasure to take home, thus giving it a new life.
And after exploring among the stalls, I recommend spending some time visiting the Borgo Dora neighborhood and Porta Palazzo to immerse yourself in a historic area of Turin less known by tourists, but which has its charm, including cozy cafes and traditional restaurants.
So, whether you’re looking for rare books, clothing, vintage accessories, objects, furnishing or just a dive into the past, the Gran Balon is the perfect place to spend a Sunday.
Points of interest
How to reach the Gran Balon from Cascina 6b
By car: reachable in about 25 minutes by car. There is a multi-storey parking lot near Porta Palazzo where you can leave your car.
Public transports: reachable in about 1h 10m. Take the train from San Maurizio C.se station towards Venaria Reale Station. From there, walk to the “Stazione Venaria” stop and take bus 11 to the “Borgo Dora” stop. The market is just a few meters away.
Clothing kit
Casual clothes and comfortable shoes
I wish you a
GOOD SHOPPING!
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