14th Century Frescoes

Gorgeous 14th century frescoes : Church of Saint Dominic : Turin, IT

After visiting Our Lady of Consolation, we walked over to the Church of Saint Dominic. This little treasure of a church is home to Turin's oldest frescoes, dating back to the 14th century. Just a couple of photos here.

To see more photos from our weekend in Turin, go here.


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

The Church of Our Lady of Consolation

 Inside il Santuario della Consolata : Turin, IT

Wandering the streets of Turin, we came across this church -- il Santuario della Consolata (Our Lady of Consolation). From the outside, it didn't look like much, but once we stepped inside? Boy, howdy! Baroque, anyone? But not just any Baroque. Piedmontese Baroque. It's not a very big church (despite being called a basilica), but it is quite ornate. Apparently, it's one of the oldest churches in Turin.

The high altar : il Santuario della Consolata : Turin, IT

There weren't a lot of lay people in the church at the time we visited, but we did notice a number of nuns in the sanctuary. Most of them were praying or in deep contemplation.

Entry : il Santuario della Consolata : Turin, IT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

Brunch and the Market

Sunday morning paper at the Circolo dei lettori : Turin, IT

One of our favorite places in Turin is a hide-away reading room called il Circolo dei lettori. People come here for special events and lectures, but mostly they gather here to read. Newspapers, real books, ebooks, iPads. Whatever can be read. During the week, there is a café/bar where you can get coffee and drinks. On Sundays, the Circolo serves brunch. So, that's where we went with Maya's parents and her father's cousins. I snapped a photo of a very distinguished looking Italian man reading the paper.

Happy apple man : Turin, IT

After brunch, we wandered through the farmer's market. This was the happiest man in the entire area. He was selling apples and was quite enthusiastic about them. He spoke a little English and he told me, he is "very happy to grow and sell apples." Can't get better than that, eh?

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

Po River

Rowing on the Po River : Turin, Italy 

Just a couple of shots of the Po River on a Sunday afternoon. We walked all over the city that day. By the time we reached the river, we were pretty tired. We stopped for a short rest and I snapped a few photos.

Together : Turin, Italy

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

Family Visit

Ivo Lucchitta, nephew to Marcella Lucchitta, wife of Ivo's uncle, the late Virgilio Lucchitta : Turin, IT

Maya's parents come to Europe every spring. This year, they visited us again and we all made a trip to Turin, Italy, to visit Ivo's uncle's widow. Marcella is well into her 90s now and lives in a home that houses four generations of her family. There's Marcella; her daughter, Marisa and husband Francesco; Marisa's daughter, Patricia and her husband, Luigi, and their children, Gabriele and Edouardo (Dodo).

Maya and Ivo looking through Gabriele's rock collection with Marcella and Dodo looking on : Turin, IT

Marcella was thrilled to see Ivo and they enjoyed a lovely visit. As is the custom in Italy, we were invited to stay for dinner and were treated to a fabulous spread of foods representing the Piemontese region of northern Italy. It was a most enjoyable visit. As always, Marcella's family made us feel welcome and comfortable.

Gabriele, Dodo, and their grandfather, Francesco : Turin, IT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2012

Torino 1.3 : Eclectic Energy

Woodcarved ceiling medallion : Torino, IT

Our tour guide for the weekend was Maya's father's cousin, Mariangela. In addition to the many book shops and il Circolo dei Lettori, she showed us so many different sights, I can't remember half of what we say. Here are just a few pictures.

Detail on the medallion : Torino, IT

The top two photos don't do it justice, but these are photos of a woodcarved ceiling medallion that was absolutely exquisite in craftsmanship and detail. I wish these photos did it justice.

Woo-gah Doo-gah Boo-gah : Chanting Masks : Torino, IT

I can't remember where this exhibit was, but it was a plaza full of mask that chanted and were lit up by changing lights.

Christmas at City Hall : Torino, IT

Over the plaza near the old City Hall, the city has strung up Christmas colored lights. It was rather festive and fun and lots of young people were hanging out here, enjoying the pleasant weather and each others company.

Decked out with Constellations : Torino, IT

Where other European cities hang up lights related to Christmas and the upcoming holidays, Torino strings up random motifs. We also saw neon swimmers and birds on other streets. This street features the constellations.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/11

Torino 1.2 : il circolo dei lettori

Engrossed : il Circolo dei Lettori : Torino, IT

This is one of Torino's best kept secrets: The Circle of Readers (il circolo dei lettori). It's a salon where people can go to, get this... READ! Real books. And newspapers. And magazines. There are comfy couches and chairs. The organization hosts readings, lectures, and book signings. And, if you're keen to have a coffee while you read, there's a bar. On Sundays, the Circle serves brunch.

To get into this hidden treasure, go to Via Bogino 9. If the large doors are shut, the entrance code on the key pad is 1115 + bell button. It's a nice place to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of Torino for an hour or two.

 The entrance hall at il circolo dei lettori : Torino, IT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 11/11

Torino 1.1 : Books, Books, Books

A Bookseller in his Shop : Torino, IT

Maya and I finally were able to travel to Torino, Italy, to visit Maya's father's aunt, Marcella. The drive takes one over the French Alps, through the Mont Blanc tunnel, along the Aosta Valley into the Piedmont, and on to Torino--host city for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

The Bookseller : Torino, IT

Torino is a city of books. Arcades are lined with book sellers, the piazzas are dotted with bookstores, and one of Torino's best kept secret is il Circolo dei Lettori. I'll feature the last one in a separate post only because it's so fantastic! In the meantime, a couple of shots of the world of books as seen in Torino.

One of the many book stalls in the arcades : Torino, IT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/11