Basilica di Superga
By Dion Protani
|
Latest update: 4 January 2023
|
The Basilica di Superga is one of the finest churches in Turin, situated eight kilometres from the city centre. From its elevated position on a hill above the city it enjoys some wonderful views from the complex including a car park around the church itself.
A number of bus routes lead up to the Basilica which is also very easy to access by car from the main road and ample parking. |
Related links
The Basilica was commissioned by Victor Amadeus II the Duke of Savoy and completed in 1731, and designed by Italian architect Filippo Juvarra with its style classified as Baroque-Classicism.
Magnificent and impressive as the church is, its fame is owed not only to its architectural merit, but to a tragic story to which it became inadvertently attached. On 4th May 1949, an aeroplane crashed into a wall of the Basilica and all 31 of its passengers died. What made the story more shocking however, was that the flight was carrying the all-conquering Torino football team and their English manager Lesley Lievesley. At the time, Torino had one of the best teams in the world and made up the majority of the Italian national team.
Magnificent and impressive as the church is, its fame is owed not only to its architectural merit, but to a tragic story to which it became inadvertently attached. On 4th May 1949, an aeroplane crashed into a wall of the Basilica and all 31 of its passengers died. What made the story more shocking however, was that the flight was carrying the all-conquering Torino football team and their English manager Lesley Lievesley. At the time, Torino had one of the best teams in the world and made up the majority of the Italian national team.
Opening-times:
Mon - Sun: 09:00 - 12:00 then 15:00 - 18:00
Mon - Sun: 09:00 - 12:00 then 15:00 - 18:00
City: Turin
Province: Metropolitan City of Turin Region: Piedmont Completed: 1731 Architectural styles: Baroque, Neoclassical Close by: River Po, Monte dei Cappuccini, Mole Antonelliana Recommended accommodation: Turin Palace Hotel |
|