Tour de Torino and environs

What a great Saturday, July 8, in Torino. On Saturday, we had our very first Bicerin, a Specialty drink of Torino. It is usually a winter drink since it's served hot. But here we are in the middle of the summer, but that wasn't going to stop us from partaking of the local offerings. Bicerin starts with a bottom layer of coffee, then a layer of hot chocolate (Torino is well known for its chocolate), then a layer of hot milk. If you're a fan of any of these ingredients, you're sure to like Bicerin. After our Bicerin, we headed for the Mole Antonelliana, at one time, the world's tallest brick structure at 167 meters (about the same height as the Washington Monument. It was built in 1863-1869, originally as a Jewish Temple. It is now the Museo Nazionale di Cinema. We took the elevator to the panoramic viewing area at 85 meters which normally gives one a good view of the Alps. But it was a hazy day, and the mountains were barely visible. Nevertheless, a good view of the city.

Mole Antonelliana 

In the afternoon, we connected with Torino friends who drove us to some sights about 10-15 km from the city center. Lucky us. Our first visit was to the Colle Maddalena, a hill about 710 meters high, and about 10 km from the center. On top of the hill is the Park of Rembrance, built 10 years after the end of WW I, and dedicated to the 4,000 Italian soldiers killed in WW I. The piazzetta at the top of the hill allows a great view of the city. There is a sculpture on the summit, Il Faro Della Vittoria. She's holding a lamp that can be seen at night in the city. 

Il Faro Della Vittoria, Eduardo Rubino, sculptor, 1928

As if that was't enough for one day, we also visited the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, not far from the Fiat factory at Mirafiori (which, by the way, is only producing at about 10 percent capacity).

This "small" Palazzo was a Savoy hunting lodge. Note the deer sculpture on top of the cupola! 

Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi 

...and with our hosts, Enrico and Paula

With Virginia

To top off the evening, we had an apertivo at Enrico and Paila's beautiful apartment that overlooks the River Po and with a view of the hills on the other side of the river. And then...dinner at the Cappicino Monastery, part of which is a restaurant. As we had become accustomed to, it was on a nearby hill across  the Po, with a beautiful nighttime view of the city. An enchanting way to end a beautiful day!