Location: Turin
Top Things to do in Turin
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The 10 Best History Museums in Turin, Piedmont
In Turin, the capital of the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, sports cars and chocolate are a matter of pride. The city is also home to the Museo Egizio, one of the most impressive collections of Egyptian artifacts in the world. A stroll around Piazza Castello and along the Via Roma encompasses many of the must-see sights. Valentino Park houses an 18th-century castle, botanic garden and medieval village. When you've worked up an appetite, sample casual trattorias for pastas, regional wines and coffees.
Restaurants in Turin
1. Museo Egizio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,213 reviews
The Museo delle Antichità Egizie is the only museum other than the Cairo Museum that is dedicated solely to Egyptian art and culture. Many international scholars, since the decipherer of Egyptian hieroglyphs Jean-François Champollion, who came to Turin in 1824, spend much time pouring over the collections. It was Champollion who famously wrote, “The road to Memphis and Thebes passes through Turin”.The collections that make up today’s Museum, were enlarged by the excavations conducted in Egypt by the Museum’s archaeological mission between 1900 and 1935 (a period when finds were divided between the excavators and Egypt).The Egyptian Museum in Turin has begun 2009 an important project which wants to widen spaces in order to enhance the collections through modern museographical and museological criteria. The Museum will be open all over the period of restoration and the New Egyptian Museum inauguration is scheduled for the year 2015.
Reviewed By 183syllac - Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Renovated three or four years ago, contains an astonishing array of Egyptian artifacts of the highest quality, most of them "acquired" by at times dubious means, at the beginning of the 19th century and offering a fascinating vision of Ancient Egypt. A treasure house of precious objects and cultural treasures.
2. Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,204 reviews
Reviewed By MaryK236 - Zion National Park, United States
Amazing collections of satire and historical documents about unification of Italy. Worth the visit and an interesting building and courtyard
3. Museo Pietro Micca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,126 reviews
Reviewed By puppypatrol - Chieri, Italy
We enjoyed this chance to go below Torino and learn about the fascinating story of Piero Micca and the vast network of tunnels from the early 1700's. the tour was in Italian, but there is an English -language audio guide to listen to. If you are claustrophobic it could get a little dicey down in the tunnels but I am not a fan of enclosed spaces and I did just fine.
4. Armeria Reale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,284 reviews
Reviewed By BernardBertram - London, United Kingdom
This is an amazing room, even without all the magnificent collection of swords & lances. It must have taken years to build. Who was the architect or architects; surely, one man cannot create all this. So impressive
5. Museo del Carcere Le Nuove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 619 reviews
Reviewed By weweyuaan
It's a former prison in service for around 100 years until late 80s. I went on a Friday and the visit was in Italian. Even though I didn't understand anything and no photo is allowed, the visual shock was already unforgettable. Very warm cloth needed!
6. Musei Reali
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 385 reviews
Reviewed By 445nikr - Varna, Bulgaria
Palazzo Reale in Turin is one of the best and well-kept palaces in the world that has been turned into a museum. It is actually a complex of diverse museums which includes the richly furnished and decorated rooms in the palace itself; the Royal Armory where a large collection of weapons and fire arms are on display along with a genuine samurai armor donated to King Victor Emmanuel II by Emperor Meiji; the Sabauda Gallery where lots of sculptures and paintings that belonged to the Dukes of Savoy are exhibited; the Museum of Antiquity which has plenty Greek and Roman archaeological objects found in Piemonte; the Chapel of the Holy Shroud which was built to house the famous shroud until it was finally transferred to the Cathedral of Turin - at the time we visited it, the signs of the fire, that broke out in 1997 and had damaged the chapel, were still visible; the Royal Library with its many manuscripts and drawings; and finally the Royal Gardens which are the perfect opportunity to relax after getting overwhelmed with arts. The museums do not work on Mondays and are free on every first Sunday of the month. It is not to be missed when you are in Turin!
7. Museo Faa di Bruno
8. Camerette Don Bosco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
9. Borgo Medievale
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,302 reviews
The Medieval Castle at the Valentino Park was built to host the Ancient Art section of the 1884 Turin Expo: along the Po river and surrounded by walls, the richly furnished castle rises above a small cluster of houses and workshop. The buildings and the decorations are faithful copies of 15th century castles as most indications for the furniture and the settings came from the Civic Museum of Ancient Art. Within this great exhibition, that was meant too promote the industrial, technological and bussiness development of the city, the medieval castle was intended as an educational and promotional tool.
Reviewed By Dusty861 - Catterick, United Kingdom
This replica of a medieval castle set in this wonderful park beside the river Po, is a delight and fun to explore. Definitely child friendly and something to spark the imagination.
