Guida de’ Forestiei per la Real Città di Torino

1753

de Beer Itb 1753 C

[Turin]: Si vendono in Torino da Gian Domenico Rameletti librajo vicino alla posta

Following Italian national unification in 1861, Turin was briefly the new kingdom’s capital. This topographic map of 1753 shows the solid belt of 16 fortified ramparts and a host of moats within a pentagonal shaped star citadel (no.63) that made the city one of the best defended in Europe. There were four gates (Portas), which were normally closed at sunset and opened at sunrise. Some of the major places of the town are listed: The Cathedral of St John is there (no.1); the Piazza Castello (no.7); and the 17th century Piazza San Carlo (Carlo Felice) with the now famous equestrian statue of Duke Filiberto in the saddle (1838) near two 16th century churches - Santa Cristina (no.40), and San Carlo (no.41). According to legend, Egyptian Prince Fetonte wanted to found a city; he did very well.