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The Basilica of Superga is one of best turin italy attractions, also known as Real Basilica of Superga, situated on the hill east of Turin. It was built by King Vittorio Amedeo II as a thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary, after defeating the French who were besieging Turin in 1706. The project is Philip Messina Juvara and dates back to 1715. The chapel of this turin italy attractions, located at the top of the hill, you can only reach by road or using the Sassi-Superga tramway. The history of the church is to be traced back to September 2, 1706, when Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy and Prince Eugene of Savoy Carignan went up the hill to observe turin italy attractions besieged by the French and Spanish. Vittorio Amedeo, kneeling before an old pier, swore that, if victorious, he would build a monument to the Virgin Mary. And it was so from dawn until the wee hours of the afternoon of September 7 clashed in the fields at Lucento Madonna and Country French and Piedmontese armies, and the victory went to the latter. Visit turin italy attractions. After the battle, even before the end of the ongoing war against Louis XIV (War of Spanish Succession), Vittorio Amedeo, then crowned King of Sicily, broke the vow, and entrusted the design of the building to Philip Juvarra (1711).
The building of the future basilica began July 20, 1717, and lasted for fourteen years; Discover turin italy attractions. Pietro Somazzi Philip assumed the role of impresario enough to be responsible for carrying out works of masonry and stucco ornaments of some. Throughout the construction period, it reached the top of the hill (672 meters, the second highest in the Piedmont) by a bad stony path, and all construction materials were transported by donkey. On November 1, 1731, in the presence of King Charles Emmanuel III of Savoy, the temple was inaugurated with a solemn ceremony. Visit turin italy attractions.
Meanwhile, 26 August 1730 he founded the Congregation of Our Lady of the Royal Superga, which in 1833 became known as the Ecclesiastical Academy of Superga. May 29, 1855 was suppressed.
In 1800 (Year VII of the Republic) had suggested to transform the church into a “Temple of Gratitude”. The tombs of the Savoy in turin italy attractions, who were buried there, threatened to be transferred elsewhere to make room for the ashes of the fallen at the Piedmont side of the Jacobins: nothing of what was done.
In 1884 a funicular was opened based on Agudio system that connected turin italy attractions the top of the hill of Superga (a few hundred meters from the Basilica) with the neighborhood Sassi in Turin. The line, about 3.1 km long, has been electrified and transformed into a rack tramway in 1934. The line is still working with the rolling stock of 1934 (the drive) and 1884 (the cars). Discover now turin italy attractions.
On May 4, 1949 occurred the Superga Tragedy: The plane carrying the Torino team of the Great, in his return from Lisbon, crashed into the back of the complex, leaving no survivors.
As mentioned, the basilica was inaugurated in 1731. The size of the church are impressive: the length is 51 m. The dome is 75 m high. These features combined height of the hill (672 m) makes it visible from far distances and in the first place from Turin. Similarly from the hill there is a vast panorama of the city and the Alps
Between turin italy attractionsThe basilica itself is an “architectural structure” which is built around a church with a circular, surmounted by a dome of baroque style, preceded by a portico supported by eight Corinthian columns of classical inspiration (Pantheon in Rome). This influence turin italy attractions can be seen also in setting a central plan. On either side of the central rise two towers, where you can see the influence of Borromini. The interior of a Greek cross, is decorated with shiny sculptures made by the brothers Ignazio and Filippo Collino.
Between turin italy attractions In the Superga, the will of Vittorio Amedeo III, were buried some members of the House of Savoy. The remains are preserved in a richly decorated crypt, visited today. Among these coffins, those of Vittorio Amedeo II, opposite the hall, Charles Emmanuel III (father and son, always at odds with each other). Vittorio Emanuele Alberto Carlo and I are also buried there. turin italy attractions A plaque commemorates Carlo Felice of Savoy, who preferred to be buried Altacomba.
On the back of the church is the convent where they reside, since 1966, the fathers of the Order of the Servants of Mary (until the age of Napoleon was entrusted to the Congregation of the Royal Superga, after the Restoration and until 1951 will be assigned to a prefect of Royal Basilica assisted by his staff). turin italy attractions From the cloister of the monastery leads to the Sala dei Papi is preserved at the unique world collection of portraits on canvas of all the popes in history, from St. Peter’s forward. The hall aof turin italy attractions t which they are exposed, although still under restoration, not expose them in chronological order along the walls. Also here are the portraits of the anti, and among them Felix V, born Amedeo VIII of Savoy. From the convent also leads to the Royal Apartments a prestigious point of comfort for the royal family on a visit to the basilica of turin italy attractions.
Outside the chapel of Superga, on the square to the right of the church stands a monument dedicated to the memory of King Umberto I of Savoy, who was killed in an ambush on 29 luglio1900 at Monza by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci. This monument of turin italy attractions, commissioned by his son, Vittorio Emanuele III in 1902 at the Tancredi Pozzi Milanese sculptor, is a Corinthian column of granite with a bronze capital on which there is an eagle pierced by an arrow, with clear intent allegorical death of the sovereign. At the base of turin italy attractions the column there is the statue of a Celtic warrior symbolizing the city of Turin, pointing a hand towards the sky and the sword into a shield of Savoy. Visit all turin italy attractions.
The city has everything you could wish for and will reward you with its stirring settings and the opportunity to enjoy unforgettable experiences.
More than 40 museums for learning, and deepening one’s knowledge: from the National Museum of Cinema, Basilica of Superga, in the wonderful setting of the Mole Antonelliana, to the Egyptian Museum, the second most important museum of its kind in the world after Cairo. Read more »