Returning to travel, albeit with all its limitations and attentions, is really always exciting. The curiosity and the desire to discover new places, new traditions and new cultures is innate within us. It is only necessary to remind us every now and then: P
It had been a long time that I had wanted to visit the city of Turin, located in the north west of Italy, a large industrial but also cultural center. The sunny days accompanied us on this journey, albeit short, but necessary to oxygenate the mind and recharge the energy. Turin is a truly unique city full of incredible structures to visit, even less known than the Holy Shroud inside the Turin Cathedral.
I was really fascinated for example by the Ossuary of the fallen of the Great War in the crypt of the Church of the Great Mother of God. The structure was born on a hill and therefore enjoys a truly exceptional panoramic view and is clearly visible from hundreds of meters, even before crossing the bridge over the river Po, the longest Italian river. I have been studying the river since my early school years and seeing it now so close up is truly amazing. I live in a city near the sea and although I am used to seeing this large amount of water, the view of the Po still leaves me speechless.
The Vittorio Emanuele I bridge, dedicated to the King of Italy who is said to have also laid the first stone of the structure at the end of the 19th century, leads to the square in front of the church that has the same name as the church, a huge expanse of stone that offers a wide breath but the view is immediately captured by this structure which is very reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome. In the center of the square there is a statue dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele, an imposing sculpture that stands out above all because, in addition to being giant, there is nothing around it except the stone of the floor.
But what moved me most is the access to the church, an important and very wide staircase at the end of which you enter the portico, a pre-entrance to the church. Its marble columns are truly impressive and fit perfectly into the ceiling, reminiscent of a small temple, with floral decorations. The church is really very beautiful but its peculiarity is the crypt of the church which houses the remains of over 3000 soldiers who died during the First World War and who were previously buried in the Monumental Cemetery.
The visit was really very exciting and the architectural structure on which the church was built is also incredible. Inside it was not possible to take photographs but I guarantee you that every sculpture, painting and furniture is truly a work of art. At the exit of the church I went back to the bridge again, I love watching the water flow, it gives me a sense of tranquility. Although the temperatures weren't hot, the sun warmed us up and offered spectacular lights that were impossible not to capture with some photographs.
Life is too short not to travel