Category: Tour

Turin is known as the capital of chocolate and gianduja. But do you know the history behind these delicacies?

To discover it, at the end of June, the Chocolate and Gianduja Museum, called Choco-Story, was inaugurated, a project aimed at narrating and sharing the history of chocolate. The Museum has been set up in the underground laboratories of Pasticceria Pfatisch, a historic pastry shop founded in 1915 by Gustavo Pfatisch, which is part of the Association of Historic Places of Italy, an organization that gathers over 200 historic Italian places linked to important events in Italy’s history.

The visit at the Museum

The visit lasts about an hour and consists of a journey through time exploring the history of chocolate: from the ancient recipes of the Mayans and Aztecs, to the introduction of cocoa in Europe, until the birth of the Piedmontese chocolate tradition, with particular attention to the famous “gianduiotto”.

During the museum tour, in addition to having an audio guide that will enrich your experience with curiosities and historical details, you can enjoy interactive games that will make your visit even more engaging. Moreover, at the end of the visit, you will be treated to delicious tastings of chocolate and gianduiotti prepared by the renowned Pasticceria Pfatisch. What more could you want?

Why is Turin the city of chocolate?

It all begins towards the end of the 16th century when Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy introduced cocoa through a steaming cup of hot chocolate, symbolically served to the city to celebrate the transfer of the ducal capital from Chambéry to Turin.

A little over a century later, in 1678, chef Giovanni Antonio Ari received a license from Princess Maria Giovanni Battista of Savoy to market the cocoa beverage “Bavareisa”. This drink, composed of chocolate, coffee, and milk cream, evolved over the course of the 19th century into the famous Bicerin, one of the symbols of the city of Turin.

Let’s move on to Gianduia. What are its origins?

In 1806, Napoleon decreed a continental embargo against the English, causing a shortage of colonial goods, including cocoa. Thus, Piedmontese artisans decided to extend their chocolate recipes with hazelnuts, creating a creamy mixture of cocoa, powdered toasted hazelnuts from Piedmont, and sugar, known as Gianduia.

But how did this name come about? It is said that during the Turin carnival of 1867, the character of Gianduia was so captivated by this mixture that he granted the chocolatiers a special authorization to call the much-appreciated blend “Gianduia”. Produced in the form of bars, the mixture gave rise to “small portions of Gianduia”, known as Gianduiotti, and to facilitate production, they became the first wrapped chocolates in the history of chocolate.

Today, Turin is recognized as one of the capitals of chocolate, thanks especially to the presence of ancient chocolatiers and pastry shops such as Pfatisch, Al Bicerin, Baratti & Milano, Caffè San Carlo, La Farmacia del Cambio, Caffè Fiorio, Caffè Platti 1875, and Pasticceria Abrate, which maintain centuries-old traditions by combining artisanal methods with modern innovations.

If you love chocolate and want to relive some of its Piedmontese history, I recommend a visit to the Chocolate and Gianduja Museum. I suggest you pick up a bar of chocolate at Pasticceria Pfatisch, it’s truly excellent!

An event to not be missed

We can’t talk about chocolate in Turin without mentioning Cioccolatò, one of the most anticipated events for lovers of this delight. Every year in November, the city center transforms into a paradise for sweet tooths, with stands, workshops, tastings, and shows all dedicated to chocolate.

During this major event, you can meet master chocolatiers, participate in workshops, and discover the latest trends in the world of chocolate; in short, a unique opportunity to taste even the most innovative creations and to purchase artisanal delights directly from the producers.

Points of interests

Pasticceria Pfatisch

The Chocolate and Gianduja Museum

How to reach the Museum of Chocolate and Gianduja from Cascina 6b

By car: reachable in about 30 minutes. I recommend parking the car in one of the streets near the Museum, such as “Via S. Secondo”.

Public transports: reachable in about 1 hour. Depart from San Maurizio C.se station towards Turin Porta Susa. From there, take the metro to Porta Nuova. In about 10 minutes on foot, you will reach the Museum.

Clothes kit

Casual clothes and comfortable shoes

All I have to do is wish you to

ENJOY YOUR VISIT AND HAVE FUN🙂

Useful links

https://www.choco-story-torino.it/en

Have you ever experienced that overwhelming emotion when you decide to plan a vacation to a new place? That desire to explore and discover characteristics places, but you find yourself asking “What is there to visit?”. That’s where I come in!

Let me introduce myself,

my name is Ally and I will be your virtual guide accompanying you on a journey to discover Turin and its surroundings.

In various articles, I will tell you about must-see places around Cascina 6b. From majestic lakes to towering mountains, from picturesque villages to vibrant cities, from enchanting natural parks to museum rich in history, the Canavese offers a unique experience for every type of traveler.

Whether you are a nature lover, a culture enthusiast or an adventurer seeking new thrills, I will be your reliable companion on this journey to discover our territory.

Continue reading “Exploring with Ally”

The Basilica of Superga is an iconic place in the Turin city, rich in art and history. It’s a recommended spot if you want to admire all Turin from above.

In 1706, during the War of Spanish Succession, the city was besieged by the French troops and King Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, along with Prince Eugene of Savoy, climbed the hill of Superga to observe the enemy positions. On that occasion, the King made a vow to the Madonna delle Grazie (“Lady of Graces”): if he managed to free the city, he would build a church in her honor.

And so it was.

After the victorious battle of Turin, the King commissioned architect Filippo Juvarra, the same one who designed the Galleria Grande and the Church of Saint Ubert at the Royal Residence of Venaria Reale and the Palazzina di Caccia of Stupinigi, to design the Basilica. The construction began in 1717 and was completed in 1731, creating a true masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

The Basilica of Superga, at 672 meters above sea level, dominates the Turin skyline. From the external balcony of the Dome, accessible via a spiral staircase inside the Basilica, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city, the valleys and the mountains.

Continue reading “The Basilica of Superga in Turin”

Today I’m taking you to discover a place rich in history, symbol of innovation and Piedmontese tradition.

I’m talking about Ivrea, a city that has managed to blend the charm of the past with the modernity. Known for the famous Carnival with the historic Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea is also renowned for industrial innovation thanks to the Olivetti company, which revolutionized the design and the technology in the 20th century.

Ivrea is divided into two areas: the Ancient City, identifiable by the monuments present in the streets and alleys of the centre that tell about the Roman and Medieval history, and the Industrial City, made up of buildings from the Olivetti era located along the route of the Mam (Open-air Museum of Modern Olivetti Architecture). Both can be visited independently or, as I recommend, through the WELCOME TOUR, a free tour organized by Turismo Torino (“Turin Tourism”), every first Saturday of the month, to promote the territory. The visit is divided into two routes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, exploring the wonders of the ancient city and the modern one.

Continue reading “Ivrea, a UNESCO World Heritage city”

Today I want to talk to you about a magical and misterious place, symbol of Lanzo and its valleys.

I’m talking about the Devil’s Bridge, or original name Ponte del Ròch (“Stone Bridge” in Piedmontese), was built at the end of 1300 as a direct connection between the Lanzo Valleys and Turin, crossing the Stura river without passing by the neighboring villages. The cost for its construction was 1400 florins and a tax on wine was imposed on the population of Lanzo for 10 years.

In 1564 a door was constructed on the bridge (of which, nowadays, only the arch is visible) and was closed during outbreaks of epidemics, such as the plague, to prevent contagion from outsiders. In September of that same year a toll was introduced, called “the bill of the place of origin”, marked with the seal of Lanzo; anyone without it could not cross the bridge.

Continue reading “The Devil’s Bridge in the Lanzo Valleys”

For cinema lovers, for those passionate about its history and for those curious about the world of cinema, you absolutely cannot miss a visit to the National Museum of Cinema of Turin. Set up inside the Mole Antonelliana, emblem of the city, the museum’s content unfolds across a five-floor itinerary that occupies the entire dome

Continue reading “Turin, the city of cinema”

Today I will show you a real jewel located just a few minutes from Cascina 6b; it’s about the Plebeian Church of San Maurizio Canavese in the province of Turin.

Some curiosities

The church dates back to the 11th century and has a Romanesque appearance. The original building was reshaped in the 12th century with the formation of three naves and the preservation of the apse and bell tower. 
Since the beginning of the 1700s, internal changes were made, such as the construction of the side altars and the moving of the main altar.
The central nave preserves a suggestive series of frescoes including a pictorial cycle in 24 episodes, created in 1495 by the Pinerolo painters Bartolomeo and Sebastiano Serra, representing scenes from the life of Christ, from the Annunciation to the Crucifixion and death on the Cross, and a series of prophets portrayed in the underarch of the chapel of the Beata Vergine del Santo Rosario (“Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary”), between the 1400s and 1500s, of very fine workmanship.

Continue reading “An ancient church just a stone’s throw from Turin”

What’s better than spending an entire day outdoors immersed in nature in total relaxation? In my opinion there is nothing more beautiful.

Today I want to take you around the Parco della Mandria in Venaria Reale.

Some curiosities

The Parco della Mandria, adjacent to the Royal Residence of Venaria Reale, was the first regional park established in Italy in 1978, but its history is much older.

This area, today approximately 2.000 hectares, was born in the 16th century as a hunting reserve for the royal family of the Savoy and equipped for the stay of the king and the court. King Vittorio Amedeo II inserted a horse farm for the royal stables from which the name “La Mandria” (the herd) derived. Afterwards, King Vittorio Emanuele II had the Borgo Castello and other buildings built to live there, it seems, with his morganatic wife Rosa Vercellana, also known as the “Bela Rosin”.

Upon the death of Vittorio Emanuele II the estate passed to the “Medici del Vascello” marquises, during which portions of land were sold for the construction of various residences and a golf course. In 1976 it became property of the Piedmont Region, which established the Regional Park of La Mandria.

Continue reading “A day at the Natural Park of La Mandria”

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/