The O2006 Winter Olympics
put “Torino” on the map—literally. The confusion over which name to use, the hard English
“Turin” or the smooth, rhythmic Italian has heightened since the city insisted on its
native tongue back when it got the games. Regardless of which name it goes by, the often
overshadowed northern city is universally admired now that it’s had a chance to show off
its many wonders. One of the greenest big cities in Italy, with vast public parks, the
river Po, the hills beyond, and tree-lined boulevards blazed by Napoleon, Turin can in
some ways feel more French than Italian in character. Espresso is caffé, the
downtown is filled with royal history, and isolated castelli dot the hillsides
surrounding the city. The seat of the wealthy Savoy king up until the mid-1900s, Turin
became the first capital of the unified Italy in 1860 while its resident dynasty became
the new nation’s monarchs.

Though it has long since lost the title of Italian capital and the remaining
Savoys are desperately clinging to their title in the current republic, culturally, Turin
remains impressive. It is a showcase of contemporary art masterpieces, and its theater and
music offerings rival those of Milan, the country’s larger and more famous northern city.
In many ways, Turin, with its rich history and quiet, beautiful neighborhoods, surpasses
its fashionable neighbor.