Throughout Italian history, few cities have played such a fundamental role as Torino, especially when it was the capital of Italy. This crucial moment took place in the 19th century, when the city became the fulcrum of national unification, an event that would shape the future and direction of modern Italy.

On 17 March 1861, after the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, Torino became its first capital. The city, already capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia, welcomed the national institutions and became an important political, cultural and social centre.

The period of Torino as capital of Italy was relatively short, lasting only four years, until 1865, when the capital was transferred to Florence. However, during this short period, the city left a significant mark on Italian history, both architecturally and culturally.

During this period, Torino experienced a period of strong economic and social development. The city became an important industrial and commercial centre and attracted numerous immigrants from all over the country.

Buildings and monuments associated with Torino as the capital of Italy

Torino has numerous buildings and monuments that testify to its role as the capital of Italy. Among these, the most important are:

• Palazzo Madama: seat of the Italian Parliament from 1861 to 1865. Today, it is the seat of the Civic Museum of Ancient Art.
• Palazzo Carignano: seat of the first Italian Parliament. Today, it is the seat of the Piedmont Region.
• Palazzo Reale: residence of the Savoy family. Today, it is the venue for exhibitions and cultural events.
• Mole Antonelliana: symbol of Torino that was originally a synagogue. Today, it is the seat of the National Museum of Cinema.

Palazzo Madama

Palazzo Madama is an imposing building located in the centre of Torino. Built in the 13th century as the Castle of Torino, it was the official residence of the two Royal Mothers from the 1740s and underwent numerous modifications over the centuries. In 1861, it became the seat of the Subalpine Senate, and in this role it hosted important historical events, such as the proclamation of Victor Emmanuel II as the first King of Italy.

Palazzo Madama is now home to the Museo Civico di Arte Antica, which houses a rich collection of works of art from all over the world. The museum is divided into several rooms, housing paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and archaeological treasures.

Palazzo Carignano

One of the most symbolic places of this period is Palazzo Carignano. This sumptuous Baroque palace is not only an architectural gem, but also the place where the unification of Italy took its first concrete step. It was here that the first session of the Italian Parliament was held in 1861, sanctioning the annexation of Torino as capital of the Kingdom of Italy. Today, the Palace houses the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento, a tangible testimony of the journey towards national unity.

Royal Palace

Overlooking Piazza Castello, the Royal Palace was the residence of the Dukes and Kings of Savoy. The Royal Palace is an imposing building, with a richly decorated façade, inside which there are numerous rooms decorated with frescoes, stuccoes and period furniture. In 1862, the great Scalone d’Onore (Staircase of Honour) was built. Designed by Domenico Ferri and commissioned by Victor Emmanuel II to celebrate the birth of the new nation, this staircase is enriched with large canvases and statues illustrating moments and prominent figures from Savoy history. It was built in the 15th century and underwent numerous modifications over the centuries. Its Baroque architecture, the works of art it houses, and the regal rooms still exude the atmosphere of the era when the city was the political hub of the country.

Mole Antonelliana

The Mole Antonelliana is considered the symbol of Torino. Its name derives from its imposing height of 167.5 metres and the architect who conceived it, Alessandro Antonelli. Designed and begun in 1863, the Mole was initially intended to be a synagogue before being purchased by the City Council to make it a monument to national unity and completed in 1889. 

During the period when the city was capital, this imposing building became an icon of the city, representing its greatness and its aspiration for a bright future. The façade is neo-Gothic in style, with a series of pinnacles and spires. Inside, there are numerous rooms, including the Temple Hall, which houses the National Cinema Museum, attracting visitors from all over the world for its extraordinary architecture and extensive film collection.

The winged genius, a statue commonly called ‘the angel’ by the people of Torino, was placed at the very tip of the Mole Antonelliana. When the work drew to a close, a golden ‘angel’ was hoisted to the top. The angel was destroyed by lightning during the cloudburst of 11 August 1904, but remained prodigiously poised on the terrace below, despite weighing 300 kg. The statue was kept inside the Mole and is still mistaken for an angel today.

In place of the genius, a five-pointed star similar in shape to the original one on the genie’s head and made of copper about 4 metres in diameter, was placed in early 1906 by engineer Ernesto Ghiotti, the then head of public works for the City of Torino. It was also one of the first buildings to be illuminated at night, at the time by gas lamps.