Tourist Sites

It was just an idea that came to me at night before I went to Milano. Novara city is located between Torino and Milan (around 1 hour from Torino or 45 mins from Milan). It is also a junction when you want to go Switzerland from Genova. I went there by tricky idea. I bought ticket to Milan from Torino, but I stoped in Novara for 2 hours, and back to get next train to Milan. I don't know whether this idea is correct or not but I was successful to do it.

Novara is the 2nd largest population in Piamonte region after Torino. Although it was said 2nd largest, don't think that Novara is crowded city. It was really very calm, silent, and quite a lot old people. Even this city is not mentioned in yahoo travel. I did not see many young people with 'strange' style in this city. The main view of Novara is the big and tall tower of Basilica San Gaudenzio. It has 121 meters long with artistic design. You can see this tower form the station or from every parts of the city. The basilica itself is also nice. Instead of basilica with its tall tower, there is also duomo di Novara (catedral di Novara) which is very old. It is located near the basilica by crossing the downtown of the city. Near the duomo, there is a children park which will be very crowded of children during weekend. Novara views is very nice. In downtown, not many cars crossing the street so you can really enjoy your walk. When I was there, there was a ceremony held by red cross of italy dedicated for old people who helped the organization (I think), so, such a festival that rarely happen in that small city. There are also some other churches which are quite old and artistic in term of design in this city, so just visit this city. Just the problem is, when I tried to find a postcard of Novara, I could not find it. Oh ..

June 2, 2007

It was on May 12, 2007 that I have a chance to visit, probably, the most interesting church in Torino: Basilica di Superga.
Basilica di Superga is a unique place. It is located on the top of the hill, so you can look at it easily from the city of Torino. Basilica di Superga or just say Superga is a rather mistical chuch and becoming more famous because of 1949 accident. The airplane which carried the best ever soccer team of FC Torino (known as Grande Torino = the Great Torino) was crashed the church and killed all of the players including official team and reporters. At that moment, it was the best soccer team in Italian with 5 straight winning of serie A (Italian soccer competition). You can still see some parts of the broken building which was not repaired (I think) due to memorize this tragedy.

It was believed that Superga was built as a promise of king Vittoro if he able to beat France in a war near Torino and get back Torino from France. At the end, king Vittoro was truly able to do it and he kept his promise to built a church on the top of the mountain (near Sassi). Unfortunately, it was not enough space there, then he asked people to throw away all of that stone and make it a wide flat-area until it was enough to built a church. The place where people thrown the stones called as Sassi (means stone).
There is a stair that you can go up till half of duomo. I paid 3 euro for it. From this point, you can see all parts of Torino and if you are lucky, you can get the whole picture of alpen mountain line. To go here, you can use bus which regularly come ever hour. So, you can use your travel ticket or bus ticket. Otherwise, you can use special train called Superga Rack Railway. The ticket around 6 euro for 2 ways and 3 euro for one way. The price ticket will be different during saturday, sunday and holiday.

The Monte dei Cappuccini is one of Turin's landmarks. From the 11th century onwards the Mount was a forification (known as bastita) to defend the cith, and thus was the scene of attacks and sieges. Since mediaeval times a church has stood on the summit of the Mount in honour of the Virgin Mary. It is in ore-baroque style. In front of the church you can see the big cross and virgin marry statue beside it. Inside the church, so many magnificent ornamental relief. The old tabernacle inside there is made in 1638 by German guy.

This church is full of history of Torino city. The central part of the church, which is paved in stone from Barge, leads to two sides chapels. The one on the right (from the entrance) offers Carlo di Castellamonte's marble decoration. The pattern is tried to be duplicated in the left chapel. Above the altar, there is portray of the Madonna holding out the Infant to St. Francis, in the presence of St. Lawrence. It is not original because the original one is kept in the Savoy Gallery. Below the St. Maurice altar table rest the remains of Beatified Ignatius of Santhia, who lived on the Mount for many years.
The main building of Monte dei Cappuccini is devided into two, one is becoming church and the other one is a museum, owned by italian alpen club, namely Museo Nazionale della Montagna.
From here, you can see all of the city of Torino in winter or fall season. Not in the spring or summer, which the trees will block your view with its leaves.

Stupinigi is a small town located in the south part of Torino. It can be reached by bus number 41. There is a UNESCO herritage there, called as Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi. From the story, it is know as the place for high rank Savoy family during deer hunting. Inside the palazzina, it's full of ornament made by venecia people. At the back of the house there is a national natural park which long time ago used by the family for their hobby hunting. This park is very big but no more deer anymore. Unfortunately, the palazzina will not open until December 2008 due to renovation

The downtown of Stupinigi is not in this palazzina. It is around 500 meter where actually new residence area. So, there was nothing there.

I give that title to Bologna because I can see many old buildings there. Almost a prehistoric city. Old church, old building, old statue, and so on.
I visited Bologna on April 28, 2007 by cheap train from Torino. It costs only 11 euro, so totally 22 euro for go and back. Bologna train station is one of the most crowded station in Italy, thanks to its position which is in the center of Italy. There was a bloody tragedy in 1980, when the bom blown in the station. When you came the waiting room of the station, you will see 'cracked stone' monument with all of the names of the people who died.
Near the station, you can see an old and big park. Unique style of Bologna is that there is always 'portico' (elegant and extensive arcades) when you walk. So, don't worry about sun shine, wet rain, or snow. The downtown of Bologna is Piazza Nettuno (Plaza of Neptune). In there you can find a basilica of San Petronio which is one of the biggest church in the world. Unfortunately, when I visited there i could not bring my camera. Also, it was forbidden to bring your bag, I don't know why?

Near that place, you can see the symbol of Bologna. The two towers, quite funny because the height is not same, one is taller than the other. Bologna university is known as the 2nd oldest university in the world. Almost all faculties were available there.

Spread in the city, you can find many old churches with very old ornament. Full painted or beautiful relief. Bologna also has a church called as San Luca which located on the top of the hill. Again with 'portico' when you climb (walk) to that that church.