Viaggioadagio.it

When  Turin is under a pleasant sun –it happens more often than most people think-, you could like to enjoy a nice walk in a place impressive but different from the traditional walk along Via Roma between Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Castello.

In that case, I strongly suggest you to spend some time in the marvellous Parco del Valentino. This famous green corner lays along the shores of the river Po at the back of the hills, between the monumental bridge King Umberto I and the bridge Princess Isabella. The origins of its name are not so sure: somebody names it after Saint Valentine because the relics of this young martyr of the third century are kept in a crystal shrine 1700 in in the church of San Vito, close to the park.

This huge garden was created in 1630 and, in 1864, it was partly reorganized by the French architect Barillet with a more rational and suggestive layout of boulevards and bushes, a small gallop and a lake, which was later drained, that was used during the Winter as a “patinoire”.

This is, apart from some irrelevant changes, the Valentino that you can admire today walking along the net of narrow paths that link the prestigious buildings of this “green corner of heaven”. Among these monuments, the most relevant is, for sure, the Valentino’s Castle (placemark di Google Earth), the most famous building of the park; it was built at the beginning of 1500, was later purchased by Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia in 1564 and, then, it was sold by his son Carlo Emanuele I to Maria Cristina di Francia who used it as personal residence.

The Castle was completely restored between 1621 and 1660 and has two
different facades: the main front, facing Turin, reminds the Italian baroque and looks like a XVII-century French castle, while the back, facing the river Po, is made of fired. Walking around its interior, you will see how the rooms have still impressive traces of their ancient beauty, with elaborated stuccoes and allegorical frescos which commemorate the battles, the agreements and the armistices of its ancient history.

After leaving the castle and walking towards the bridge Princess Isabella, you will get to the marvellous Medieval village  which reproduces, with its crenellated walls, the towered Rock, the drawbridge, the small roads and the handicraft shops, a V-century village. This small town was built on the occasion of the World Expo of 1884 and completes, together with the prestigious Botanical Gardens and Villa Glicini, the marvellous landscape of the Park.

After finishing this nice visit among trees and ancient buildings, you could be a bit hungry and, therefore, I would like to suggest you a place where stuffing yourself with typical Turinese dishes, the Restaurant “Il porto di Savona” (Tel. 011/8173500), in the close and beautiful Piazza Vittorio Veneto. With 25-30 euros you will taste the best Piedmontese cuisine, tastinesses such as bagna cauda, leaks and potatoes soup, tenderloin with pistachios, bonet and tarte tatin, while sipping the delicious local wines. Have fun !