Piazza Savoia - Piazzas of Italy by Ultimate Italy

Piazza Savoia

Piazza Savoia is situated a few metres away from Via Garibaldi after taking a right into the Via della Consolata. This is an old part of the city of Turin where it is also possible to see a few Roman ruins nearby. One can also find the Vecchia Farmacia Collegiata, a pharmacy, which was founded before 1500.

There is a large obelisk in the center pf the piazza. It dominates the entire square. It was built to commemorate the Siccardi law of 1850. This law abolished the Ecclesiastical Courts. There is a box placed in the foundation of this monument. It has positive symbols to document for posterity the levels of civilization reached by the Piedmontese in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It includes a copy of the act on the abolition of the Ecclesiastical Courts, a few coins, a few cereal grains, a packet of Grissini (breadsticks) and a bottle of Barbera wine. Barbera wine is a red wine made from Barbera grapes, which are grown extensively in the Piedmont region of Italy. Grissini are bread sticks whose origins can be traced to the city of Turin. They are always crunchy. They are supposed to have saved the life of a young prince of Savoy many years ago. He was so ill that he was unable to eat any other food till he recovered. Thus it not only saved the monarchy but also contributed to the unification of Italy.

Lobelix is a trendy bar that faces the piazza. The famous wine store Manietti is also an important place visited by tourists and locals alike. Ristorante Savoia named after the square it is situated in is also frequented for its elegant cuisine. It is a high-class restaurant famous for its homemade seasonal food made from the best of ingredients. It is also famous for its desserts.

Thus Piazza Savoia is a blend of both the ancient and the modern.