Itinerary
This complete 4-hour private tour to enjoy Turin’s main Art Nouveau heritage will be done by public transport and requires some walking. You will discover Art Nouveau gems in four neighborhoods of the capital city of Piedmont: Cit Turin, San Salvario, Borgo Po and Centro.
You will start the private tour admiring some private residences in Cit Turin, a historical districts northwest of the historic centre. In this district you will discover some hidden gems and also the very popular Palazzina Raby and Casa Fenoglio. These two buildings, both located in Corso Francia, are the most popular buildings of Pietro Fenoglio, the Italian architect who best represents Turin Liberty.
After, we will take a public transport to go to the neighborhood of San Salvario where you will discover what it is probably Turin’s most beautiful door. Also in the same area we will spend some time visiting Valentino Park, the area where in 1902 took place a major international exhibition of decorative arts, an event that popularised a taste for Art Nouveau style in the applied arts in the whole Italy.
The important Italian architect Raimondo D’Aronco won the project to build the exhibition pavilions but had to delegate the project to his disciple Annibale Rigotti and to go to live to Turkey when he became the chief palace architect to the Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II in Instabul, a title that he had for 16 years. The next place that you will admire is Villa Scott, a very special building located on the hill situated at the other side of river Po.
Finally we will go to the heart of the city centre of Turin where you will discover, in the same piazza, Torino’s two most elegant and historic Art Nouveau Cafes and certainly admire its beautiful Liberty decorations. If you feel like doing so, drink an expresso served by a waiter dressed in elegant way, with white shirt and black tie. This will be a perfect end for our half day walking private tour that will allow you to see most of all what Torino’s Liberty has to offer.
Many of the buildings built in Turin between 1890 and 1910 are eclectic, showing influences from Art Nouveau and also from other art styles. Examples of this Turin’s peculiarity are Villa Cairoli and Palazzo Bellia, considered by some as Art Nouveau buildings but that are rather of heterodox style. In other European cities like Alesund and Barcelona most of the buildings built at that time followed only Art Nouveau style, but not in Turin, where some art styles overlapped.
Our tour may focus on Liberty Style architecture, exploring its historical context and unique features, but we often tailor the itinerary to your specific interests, to ensure a personalized experience. Some clients prefer a focus with a focus on Royal Residences and Palaces or on Culinary Delights – everything is possible.
Tailored to your interests
Where the private tour Begins and Ends
At the Principi d’Acaja metro station on Corso Francia.
Exclusions
Transport: Your tour may include walking, public transportation, or taxi rides. The final decision will be made on the day of the tour, taking into account your energy levels, weather conditions, and specific interests. We believe in flexibility and personalization.
Food and drinks.
Additional Information
Art Nouveau – Stile Liberty
Turin, Italy’s first capital, holds a special place in the history of Art Nouveau. Known as Stile Liberty in Italy, this artistic movement flourished in Turin, blending international trends with local traditions. The city’s unique architectural landscape reflects this fusion, with buildings that showcase a mix of styles, from pure Liberty to eclectic interpretations.
While many cities embraced a singular vision of Art Nouveau, Turin’s approach was more diverse. Buildings like Villa Cairoli and Palazzo Bellia, though often associated with Liberty Style, demonstrate a more eclectic aesthetic. Our tours focus on the purest expressions of Liberty Style, showcasing the intricate details, organic forms, and innovative designs that characterize this remarkable period in Turin’s history.
Turin, the capital of Piedmont, boasts a unique architectural heritage. While many Italian cities embraced a pure Liberty Style, Turin’s buildings constructed between 1890 and 1910 exhibit a fascinating eclecticism. Examples like Villa Cairoli and Palazzo Bellia showcase influences from Art Nouveau alongside other artistic trends, resulting in a distinctive style all their own. Our private tours focus on the purest expressions of Art Nouveau in Turin, taking you on a journey through the city’s stunning Liberty Style architecture.
At the turn of the 20th century, Art Nouveau, known as Stile Liberty in Italy, resonated with the desire for modernity and internationalism. This wasn’t a complete break from tradition, though. Liberty Style embraced new ideas while honoring the city’s rich artistic heritage, incorporating local craftsmanship and techniques into its designs. Turin, holding the title of Italy’s first capital, became a leading center for this movement, together with Milan, showcasing its innovative spirit and artistic legacy to the world.
To read the last news on Milan’s art nouveau and discover our private tours and experiences there, click HERE.