Two months in Torino

Quick Tips:

The City of Torino has a great website (in english) with lots of information and pictures, and there is a website on the 2006 Olympic Games to be held in Turin.

Best Way To Get Around:

Moncalieri has a patron saint day (I forget the name of their saint) a few days before. They had a wonderful free concert in the church in the main piazza, then followed that up with a fireworks display from the hill and then a stage with clowns in the square.

You can catch bus 66 out to the palace, just ask the driver for "Stupinigi", and he'll tell you where to get off. When you are waiting for the bus after you've seen the place, you can grab a gelato at the little restaurant across the street.

Once the cannons were located, the soldiers would set explosives at the end of the tunnel, run a fuse as far as they could and then light it. If the tunnel was dug correctly, the explosion would shoot straight upward and take out the French cannon above. This was in theory. In practice, this was very dangerous work. If the tunnel was dug too shallow, the ground would cave in under the weight of the armies above. Often, the explosion would shoot back down the tunnel, rather than straight up, and would kill the soldiers before they could get safely out of the way.

Pietro Micca was one of the soldiers in charge of the tunnels. I can't remember the whole story, but basically, he saved many lives when the French discovered the tunnels by lighting explosions in the tunnels as the French were invading them. He was killed in the process, but his actions stopped the French and gave Piedmont the victory.

In the museum, a guide takes you down under the city into some of the actual tunnels that were used during the war. Many of the tunnels have been excavated, and it is believed the spot has been found where Pietra Micca actually died. This is a very interesting slice of history, and it's quite an experience to be under the city. Bring a jacket, as the tunnels are cool. Even if it's 90+ degrees outside, the tunnels are around 60 degrees. Ask for an English speaking guide, so you can hear the story for yourself.

Once I had the produce, I'd make a quick stop by the apartment to put it all away, then it was back to the market. I'd wander through the stalls selling T-shirts, lace, umbrellas, shoes, dresses, luggage, tapes of old American pop stars, even underwear! I'd look for souveniers for my family and friends, a dress to wear to the opera, shoes to wear with my new skirt, etc. I didn't pay more than $20 for anything (including a pair of Italian leather sandals), however purchase could add up fast if you're not careful. There were lots of very cute wrap-around skirts, nice sweaters and great shoes.

If you're in Turin on Friday, catch the #45 bus down Via Massimo D'Azeglio to Moncalieri (get off at the first stop across the bridge over the Po), grab a gelato (a major requirement for any adventure in Italy) at the shop at the bottom of the hill and wander the market for a few hours.