 This
piazza is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. On one side
of the piazza you have the Carignano Theatre (Teatro Carignano),
the Cambio restaurant (ristorante del Cambio), and the Pepino ice-cream
parlour (gelateria Pepino). On the other side is the famous Carignano
Palace (Palazzo Carignano).
 The
Carignano Palace is an excellent example of the Baroque style of
architecture and was built by Guarino Guarini between 1679 and 1685.
It was the birthplace of two of Italy’s greatest sovereigns
– Carl Albert and Victor Emmanuel II. They were instrumental
in bringing about the unification of Italy. In 1848 it became the
seat of the Subalpino Parliament. In 1861 it became the first parliament
of the newly united Italy. So it was extended and a rear façade
was added to the palace, which now overlooks Piazza Carlo Alberto.
Despite the use of simple materials like bricks the palace has a
grand façade, which highlights the interplay of light and
shadow. The windows of the first floor are decorated with a frieze
depicting the headdress of American Indians. This frieze was created
in 1667 to celebrate the victory of a regiment sent by the House
of Carignano to aid the French against the Iroquois. Currently the
palace has been converted to the national Risorgimento Museum. It
explores the history of Italy from 1706 to 1945.
 The
other historical building in this square is the Carignano Theatre.
Benedetto Alfieri designed it in 1752. The famous Cambio restaurant
is next to the theatre. It was built in 1757 and was originally
a stagecoach stop. It is said to have been a favourite haunt of
many illustrious figures including Casanova and Cavour.
The ancient Palazzo dell’ Academia die Nobili is adjacent
to the square down the Via Academia delle Science between Via Principe
Amedeo and Via Maria Vittorio.  On
the order of the Jesuits Guarini designed it in the latter part
of the seventeenth century. Since 1824 it houses Turin’s Egyptian
Museum the oldest of its kind and the second most important Egyptian
museum as the most important one is the original museum in Cairo.
The San Filippo Neri church is opposite the palace and faces Via
Maria Vittorio. In 1679 Maria Giovanni of Savoy- Nemours commissioned
Guarini to build this church but he died before the project was
completed. It is the biggest church in Turin and has a chapel dedicated
to Sebastian Valfre.
 Palazzo
Carpano formerly known as Palazzo San Marzano faces the church.
Garove designed it in the 1680’s. Benedetto extended it in
the eighteenth century. It has a spectacular appearance with spiraling
columns in the atrium, a beautiful staircase and an interesting
courtyard. It belongs to the Carpano family, the family associated
with the invention of Vermouth at the end of the eighteenth century.
Piazza Carignano is not only a great square to visit for its historical
buildings but is also a good place to visit to have a spot of lunch
and a gelato and relax for a while.
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