Category: activities

Hi, today I would like to take you on a journey inside the Egyptian culture. Few populations left so many suggestive proofs of their existence, for this reason, I want to take you to the Egyptian Museum of Turin, the world’s oldest museum devoted entirely to ancient Egyptian culture. As regards value and the quantity of archaeological finds, the Egyptian Museum of Turin is considered the biggest and most important museum of the world, second only to the Egyptian Museum of Cairo.

For sure you are wondering what Egypt has to do with Turin?

We have to thank King Charles Felix of Savoy who in 1824 founded the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Turin, acquiring a collection of 5.628 relics collected by Bernardino Drovetti, in addition to the antiquities already owned by the Savoy family.

The Italian Archeological Mission found other relics between 1900 and 1935 which were later added to the museum’s collection.

Nowadays the Egyptian Museum of Turin is located in the Palace of the Academy of Sciences, the impressive seventeenth century building whose construction began in 1679 by the architect Michelangelo Garove on the basis of the original project of Guarino Guarini. 

Starting from the 1980s a new itinerary for visitors with new exhibition spaces was planned, such as a large room designed to house antiquities from the Predynastic Period and Old Kingdom on the ground floor. When the Winter Olympics were held in Turin in 2006, the statuary was rearranged by the set designer Dante Ferretti. The last intervention radically refurbished the spaces, the whole museum itinerary and exhibition facilities with a view to the great reopening in 2015

Continue reading “Welcome To The Museo Egizio Of Turin”

Today, I will take you on a journey to discover the Palazzina di Caccia of Stupinigi, a Savoy Residence dedicated to hunting and festivities.

The Palazzina was built starting from 1729 and was commissioned by Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy for the court’s recreational activities, including hunting, the royals’ favorite pastime. Initially, it was conceived as a simple pavilion with few apartments suitable for short stays, lasting only as long as the hunting trips, but nothing like the majestic Royal Residence of Venaria Reale.

However, over the years, the project evolved into the magnificent palace we know today, characterized by a sumptuous pavilion dome painted blue with golden profiles, frescoed halls that narrate the Myth of Diana (goddess of the hunt and protector of the woods), a vast park and a long straight avenue at the entrance, which in the original design allowed for direct access to the center of Turin.

The visit

The visit route allows to explore the Palazzina in all its magnificence. Starting from the central hall, the beating heart of the Residence, four arms extend in the shape of St. Andrew’s cross, whose center is dominated by a sumptuous crystal chandelier, unti get to the King and Queen’s apartments, where original frescoes, boiseries, and furnishings enrich the environments. Lastly, you reach the eastern apartments of the Dukes of Chiablese and the western apartments of King Carlo Felice, concluding with the Stables and Citroniere.

But that’s not all! In fact, in addition to offering a wide range of cultural experiences through various temporary and permanent exhibitions, the Palazzina of Stupinigi organizes activities and events for all ages, making it an ideal destination also for families. Events like Natale è Reale – “Christmas is Real” (described in the previous article) provide entertainment and fun for the little ones.

In conclusion, spending a day at the Palazzina di Caccia of Stupinigi is a way to satisfy everyone’s tastes, history and art enthusiasts, animal lovers but also the little ones.

How to reach the Palazzina di Caccia of Stupinigi from Cascina 6b

By car: reachable in about 40 minutes. Take the A55 and exit at “Stupinigi”. Follow the signs for “Stupinigi” and you will reach the Palazzina in just a few minutes.

Public transports: reachable in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Take the train from San Maurizio C.se station towards Turin Lingotto. From there, walk to the “Stazione Lingotto” bus stop and take bus 41 to the “Stupinigi” stop. The Palazzina will be just a short walk away.

Clothing kit

Casual clothes and comfortable shoes

I wish you a

GOOD VISIT!

Useful links:

• https://www.ordinemauriziano.it/en/palazzina-di-caccia-di-stupinigi/
• https://www.cascina6b.com/en/

The magic of Christmas, the end of a year, the beginning of a new one and the arrival of Epiphany… all these make December special. So why not make it even more special by discovering Christmas activities and wonders around Cascina 6b?

To start, I’d like to tell you about the event Natale è Reale (Christmas is Real) held within the royal stables of the magical Palazzina di Caccia of Stupinigi. This is a perfect example of combining the useful with delightful: visiting the Palazzina di Caccia during the Christmas period allows not only to explore the fantastic Elf Village, which features workshops, animated games, circus activities and none other than Santa Claus, but also to visit the beautiful Palazzina with all its permanent furnishings and temporary exhibitions.

Continue reading “The magic of holidays”

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

Borgo Dora Neighborhood

Porta Palazzo

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!

Useful links:

• https://www.balon.it/en/
• https://scopriportapalazzo.com/i-mercati-3/il-mercato-di-portapalazzo/
• https://www.turismotorino.org/en
• https://www.cascina6b.com/en/

During these summer Sundays, it’s truly a pleasure to escape from the sultry heat and perhaps take refuge under the branches of some trees, while enjoying a breathtaking view.

Just 60 km from Cascina 6b, in the Viù Valley, lies Malciaussia Lake, a scenic and clear body of water that radiates peace and tranquility from the very first glance.

The lake is accessible by car only during the summer season, as snow blocks access in the winter. During the summer period, only on holidays, the access to the Malciaussia lake parking lot is limited with a toll to keep the influx of visitors under control.

From the lake, you can admire the Mount Lera, Rocciamelone, and Autaret Hill reflected in its crystal-clear waters.

Continue reading “From Malciaussia Lake towards the Black Lake”

Today I want to tell you about a truly special place. Just 50 minutes by car from Cascina 6b, nestled in the greenery, there is a small village called Vonzo, located in the Chialamberto fraction in the province of Turin, made up of stone houses and lots of traditions.

As soon as you arrive in this place, the perceived sensation is that of leaving the chaos of the city to enter an atmosphere of other times, characterized by small stone streets that can only be explored on foot, by houses with embroidered curtains on the windows and doors that are always open, from little dogs of the local gentlemen with bandanas that read “even if I pretend otherwise, I have already eaten”, from the noise of the fountains of rushing fresh water, from the smell of coffee and freshly cut grass.

Continue reading “Vonzo, an enchanted village in the Lanzo valley”

If you feel the need to get away from the city and want to take a nice walk in nature, a trip to Lake Ceresole is just what you need; an artificial Lake that is part of the complex of six dams built in the Orco’s drainage basin (Agnel Lake, Serrù Lake, Ceresole Lake, Lake Teleccio, Lake Valsoera, and Lake Eugio) that power several hydroelectric plants.

Once reached the lake, there are numerous services available: you can have a picnic in the rest areas with toilets provided by the Municipality of Ceresole Reale, or have a seated lunch with a lake view at the Chalet of the Lake, where you can enjoy excellent polenta with stew and various typical products of Piedmontese cuisine; take a long and scenic relaxing walk along the lake; cross the artificial dam built at the beginning of the 20th century while observing the movement of the 34 million cubic meters of water coming from the Orco River, which varies as the hours pass; and for the more adventurous, hike the trails leading to the surrounding mountains.

Continue reading “Ceresole Reale and the Gran Paradiso National Park”

Just 15 km from Cascina 6b there is a little Versailles: the Royal Residence of Venaria, an ancient and glorious Savoy residence located in the heart of Venaria Reale, in the province of Turin. Commissioned in the late 1600s by Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoy, it was designed to serve as a base for hunting in the hilly moorland of Turin.

The site offers various services: a long stroll through the English gardens, characterized by vast green lawns interspersed with pathways, benches and fountains; the visit to the Savoy royal apartments for a dive into the history among utensils, furnishings and rich tapestries; as well as the viewing of both temporary and permanent exhibitions that feature works by contemporary and non contemporary artists.

Continue reading “The Royal Residence of Venaria Reale”

Today, I want to take you to the town of Rocca Canavese, a starting point for various trekking and MTB routes, which lead to the Madonna della Neve Chapel, the Bandit Chapel, the Val Mill and finally to Audi Plan.

Continue reading “Walking towards the Madonna Della Neve Chapel in Rocca Canavese”

Because of the pandemic, the days before Christmas are sad and melancholy. The Christmas atmosphere struggles to enter homes. These are days in which everyone does not easily abandon oneself to light-heartedness and is reluctant to get carried away by the typical holiday frenzy. In this particular moment we are detached and above all disinterested in what is happening around us, but sometimes little things can warm the heart. A few days ago I was walking in the center of Turin, one of the first days when the cold of winter was beginning to make itself felt. In the air you could feel the snow that was about to arrive and the people around me walked with their heads down, each immersed in their own thoughts. And then something happened. All of a sudden, the Luci d’Artista (Artist’s Lights) of the city turned on and I noticed that the same people, who a few seconds before were distracted, raised their heads for a second attracted by those bright colors.

Continue reading “Lightings that warm up the heart”