Saturday, October 31, 2026: The Mysterious Awakening in a Sea of Lights
Our autumnal travel adventure in Piedmont begins on an atmospheric Halloween evening. After my wife Hanusia and I had spent the day exploring the charming streets and monumental squares of Novara, we made our way to Milan Malpensa Airport. Anticipation was high, as we were there to welcome my sister-in-law, Basia. Her flight from Kraków had been canceled the previous evening due to dense blankets of fog and was rescheduled for this Saturday afternoon at 2:40 PM. Once we finally held Basia happily in our arms, we stowed the luggage in the car and headed straight for our main destination: Turin.
After a smooth check-in at the hotel, nothing could keep us in our rooms. Darkness had already completely fallen, which turned out to be an absolute stroke of luck. The masterfully designed night illumination transformed the historic metropolis into a glittering open-air stage, dressing the monumental facades in a warm, magnificent light. Our evening stroll first leads us to two impressive sacred buildings in the neighborhood. The first stop is a Neo-Baroque jewel from the early 20th century, whose monumental brick facade with rounded corner towers looks almost mystical in the spotlight. Just a few streets away stands another architectural masterpiece of Eclecticism from the late 19th century. The striking, 45-meter-high bell tower rises elegantly into the pitch-black night sky, while the streetlamps softly illuminate the reddish brick structure. It is a quiet, solemn welcome to a city that immediately captivates its visitors.
Gallery 1: The First Evening Impressions
The three of us stroll deeper into the historic core and suddenly find ourselves standing before the ancient roots of the city. The monumental Porta Palatina, the best-preserved Roman city gate in the world from the 1st century BC, instantly draws us in. In the gentle transition from twilight to deep night, the two brick watchtowers look like stone guardians of time. The artificial lighting intensely highlights the sculptural texture of the ancient masonry. Right next to it, at the expansive cathedral district, we experience the magical Blue Hour. The freestanding, dark red brick bell tower of the cathedral rises majestically, flanked by the bright Renaissance facade of the cathedral. Behind it thrones the world-famous, intricately layered Baroque dome of the Holy Shroud Chapel by Guarino Guarini. Right next to the cathedral complex, the Palazzo Chiablese radiates an elegant, royal tranquility with its elongated facade.
Gallery 2: Ancient Paths and Sacred Heart at the Blue Hour
The architectural journey of discovery continues to the main campus of the university. The multi-story courtyard of the Palazzo dell’Università unfolds a perfect Baroque symmetry with its wrapping arcades, elegant double columns, and central clock tower. From there, we finally step onto the vast Piazza Castello, the undisputed heart of the Savoyard royal city. The monumental Palazzo Reale shines brilliantly behind its magnificent cast-iron gate. The wide arcade rows on the north side of the square elegantly reflect the artificial light of the ornate streetlamps, while far above the rooftops in the dark night sky, the illuminated tip of the famous Mole Antonelliana sparkles.
Right in the center of the square, the Palazzo Madama commands everyone’s attention. Its world-famous Baroque facade, designed by Filippo Juvarra, is vibrantly set in scene by colorful water fountains in violet and blue. Turning around, one beholds the fascinating flip side: the medieval rear of the palace presents itself as a defensible fortress with round Roman watchtowers. Passing the magnificent, curved brick complex of the Palazzo della Prefettura, we continue our stroll and head toward the brilliant finale of this first evening.
Gallery 3: The Night Heart of Piazza Castello
To top off our nightly exploration, we finally enter Turin’s grand “living room”: the majestic Piazza San Carlo. In the golden glow of the spotlights, the expansive square unfolds an almost magical atmosphere. The Baroque twin churches look breathtakingly beautiful behind the grand equestrian statue. Against this royal backdrop, we take the opportunity for a wonderful keepsake photo of Hanusia and Basia, smiling arm-in-arm as they enjoy the evening flair.
As you let your gaze wander further across the square, the brightly lit facade of the left twin church, the Chiesa di Santa Cristina, particularly catches the eye. Its grand Baroque columns and the sculpted statues on the curved pediment, designed by Filippo Juvarra, stand out fantastically against the dark night sky. Right next to it, the second twin church, the Chiesa di San Carlo Borromeo, forms the perfect symmetrical counterpart with its elegantly soaring white clock tower.
But Turin also rewards a look behind the scenes: We stroll around the building complex onto the adjacent Piazza CLN and discover the fascinating rear view of the church. In the nightly spotlighting, the monumental, geometric marble structures of the rear wing and the towering white campanile with its brightly lit clock look exceptionally impressive. Right against the rear wall, Hanusia and Basia make themselves comfortable on the stone edge of the illuminated Po Fountain. While the two of them smile happily into the camera, the monumental, warmly lit stone sculpture of the river god watches over the softly splashing water above them. The bustling activity of the passersby under the deep arcade rows rounds off this vibrant urban scene perfectly before we return to our hotel, tired but full of unforgettable impressions.
Gallery 3a: The Nightly Living Room at Piazza San Carlo
Reflection and Outlook: When Memories Merge
When we draw the curtains the next morning, Sunday, November 1, 2026, we are greeted by the typical autumnal face of Piedmont: the sky is overcast, and gray rainy weather settles over the city. We don’t let it spoil our mood and take a leisurely walk through the streets, but the camera stays in its bag for most of the day.
While we mentally envision the mighty silhouettes in the dull daylight, my thoughts drift back to a very special day: February 5, 2025. Back then, during the icy but radiantly clear late winter, I had been exploring Turin all by myself. It is those very memories and the sun-drenched photos taken that day that now fill the gaps of our weekend. It is fascinating to see how the majestic buildings that Hanusia, Basia, and I admired in the golden glow of the lights last night now shine under the flawlessly blue sky of that February day.
Our virtual Sunday tour in the bright daylight begins again at the Chiesa di Maria Regina della Pace. Its white-and-pink Neo-Baroque facade and colorful mosaics of saints gleam splendidly. Upon entering, the interior takes your breath away: the bright space welcomes us with monumental, decorated pillars and a beautifully painted central dome. We continue to the Porta Palatina, which in the harsh daylight reveals every historic detail of its red brickwork and the flanking bronze imperial statues of Caesar and Augustus. The Torre del Pingone at Casa Broglia also shows a fascinating interplay of white plaster and old, medieval brick.
The Turin Cathedral and the adjacent Holy Shroud Chapel also unfold a completely new sculptural dynamic in the full sunlight. Inside the cathedral, one is pleasantly surprised by the bright Renaissance architecture. Looking through the left side aisle past magnificent Baroque side chapels with their artistic altarpieces and gilded frames, your gaze is drawn straight to the monumental, dark marble structure of the Holy Shroud Chapel in the background.
Gallery 4: The Cathedral District and the Old Town in the Sunlight
Arriving back at Piazza Castello, the Palazzo Chiablese presents itself in warm ocher tones right next to the Palazzo Reale, whose white Baroque front gleams majestikally in the sun. Right at the northwest corner of the square, we admire the Royal Church of San Lorenzo with its unique Baroque dome, which rises elegantly above the palace rows. Just a few steps further, we experience an architectural symbiosis of the highest order at Piazza Castello: the world-famous opera house, Teatro Regio di Torino. While the interior foyer designed by Carlo Mollino captivates with a monumental glass facade and flowing shapes, the exterior front shows a masterful transition from the preserved historic palace wings of red brick to the modern, undulating glass elements of the new building. Behind the palace complex, we walk through the expansive Giardini Reali. From the manicured lawns of the royal gardens, one enjoys a fantastic view of the bold, spiral architecture of the Holy Shroud Chapel and the soaring bell tower of the cathedral.
Gallery 5: Royal Residences and Modern Culture
We now dive deeper into the state rooms of the Palazzo Reale. The magnificent Baroque reception at the foot of the Scalone d’Onore is dominated by the striking equestrian statue of Duke Victor Amadeus I, which thrones on a bright marble base inside an ornate wall niche. The monumental grand staircase itself takes our breath away: it winds upwards with artistic balustrades, flanked by massive gold-framed paintings, richly decorated stucco ceilings, and historic wall sconces that lead up to a ceiling dome. Back in the fresh air, we are drawn to the absolute, world-famous landmark of the city: the gigantic Mole Antonelliana. With its massive square dome and the delicate, extremely high spire, it dominates the entire skyline of Turin. On our further path across the bustling Piazza Carlo Emanuele II, we admire the monumental marble monument to Camillo Benso of Cavour and the ocher Baroque facade of the Church of Santa Croce with its round dome.
Gallery 6: Royal Staircases and the Landmarks of the Skyline
An absolute highlight of Sunday awaits in the Baroque quarter around the Palazzo Carignano. The world-famous main facade of the palace captivates with its extraordinary, wave-like curved brick front, which lends a unique dynamic to Guarino Guarini’s masterpiece. Inside the U-shaped courtyard, a fascinating architectural secret reveals itself to us: here, in a direct transition, you can see two completely different shades of brown from the different building phases—the brighter, warm ocher tone of the original 17th-century Baroque core facade and the significantly darker red-brown of the later 19th-century extensions. Just a few steps away, we stand before the monumental brick building of the Palazzo dell’Accademia delle Scienze, which houses the world-famous Egyptian Museum. The conclusion to this ensemble of squares is the Piazza Carlo Alberto with the venerable National Library of the University of Turin, whose mighty brick arcades look immensely imposing in the daylight—the exact spot where last night we had admired the glowing blue neon lettering of the Luci d’Artista light art exhibition.
Gallery 7: The Baroque Heritage of Palazzo Carignano
We continue our walk and turn into Via Carlo Alberto, where we are fascinated by an elegant street bridge supported by mighty round arches, connecting two grand buildings high above the lane. Our route further leads us to a series of spectacular individual monuments. First, we admire the Basilica dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro with its Corinthian columns, followed by the magnificent facade of the Jesuit church Chiesa dei Santi Martiri, whose fine stone reliefs gleam in the sun. On the elegant Piazza Savoia, the massive Siccardi Obelisk rises straight as an arrow into the cloudless sky. Just a few lanes further, we stand before the Palazzo Valperga Galleani, whose austere Baroque main facade casts deep shadows in the harsh sunlight, while a glance through the open portal reveals the magnificent courtyard. The monumental, ocher-yellow complex of the historic hygiene and health office also blends perfectly into this impressive cityscape.
Gallery 8: Hidden Bridges, Obelisks, and Palaces
A very special jewel follows: the Santuario della Consolata. From the outside, the pilgrimage church displays a fascinating interplay of Baroque domes, a Neo-Classical columned front, and a mighty Romanesque brick bell tower from the 11th century. The church interior is an absolute masterpiece and leaves us completely breathless. Upon entering, an overwhelming Baroque rush of gold from gilded stucco, deep red marble columns, and ceiling frescoes sweeps over you. Through the massive round arches, new, nested perspectives keep opening up. The emotional highlight, however, is the view from the upper gallery down into the lower crypt of the subterranean sanctuary, followed by a look into the opulent sacristy with its massive, intricately carved wooden cabinets and the wide ceiling fresco in the upper vault. As we step back outside, we look back at the Baroque dome panorama, which connects directly to the monumental brick facade of the mighty Palazzo dell’Anagrafe.
Gallery 9: The Rush of Gold at the Santuario della Consolata
Before we must slowly say goodbye to Turin, our path mentally takes us across the wide Piazza Statuto with its curved, terracotta-colored palace row and deep arcades. For the grand finale, we step once more onto the Piazza San Carlo, the majestic “living room of Turin,” whose perfect Baroque symmetry comes to life breathtakingly in the warm raking light of the afternoon sun. After the wonderful nightly impressions, we take the opportunity to experience the splendor from the inside as well: the artistic main nave of the Chiesa di San Carlo Borromeo surprises us completely. A vibrant red carpet leads straight to the altar, beneath a spectacular, turquoise ceiling vault filled with painted stars and fine gold ornaments that shine magically in the daylight.
On our way back, we also pass the Palazzo Civico, the representative city hall of the town with its historic clock, and the expansive Piazza Solferino, where the imposing war monument and the magnificent Palazzo della Luce throne. A last glance into the old town lanes shows us the charming Baroque church of San Vito in Pasquirolo.
When I finally started my journey home back then, Turin held one last fascination in store: the Neo-Gothic Chiesa del Suffragio e Santa Zita. Its spectacular, colorful bell tower rises a proud 83 meters into the deep blue sky like the finger of God, crowned by a gilded angel statue gleaming in the sunlight. It is the absolutely royal farewell greeting from an unforgettable city that enchanted Hanusia, Basia, and me by night, and whose sunny countenance from my memories now makes this album complete.
Gallery 10: The Grand Finale and the Farewell Greeting
