Basilica di Superga

The Basilica di Superga crowns the Superga hill, at Strada della Basilica di Superga 73 on the eastern edge of Turin in Piedmont, Italy, at roughly 670 metres above sea level. Designed by Filippo Juvarra and built between 1717 and 1731, it was commissioned by Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy in fulfilment of a vow made during the 1706 siege of Turin. The church combines a classical portico with a tall central dome and two bell towers, and is a major example of Piedmontese Baroque. Inside, visitors see a circular nave, side altars and rich marble work. Beneath the basilica are the Royal Tombs, the burial place of members of the House of Savoy, and an upper route allows access to the dome and its gallery, which offers a wide view across Turin, the Po plain and the Alpine arc. The site also contains a memorial to the 1949 air disaster in which the Torino football team was killed when their plane struck the hill, and a commemoration is held each year on 4 May. Many visitors arrive on the historic Sassi-Superga rack tram, which climbs from the Sassi terminus in the east of the city and is itself part of the experience. Allow two to three hours including the tram, the basilica, the tombs and the panorama. The terrace in front gives the classic vantage point over the city, and the best visibility is on clear mornings after rain, especially in autumn and winter, when the Alps stand out sharply. Crowds are heaviest on sunny weekends and holidays, and the hilltop can be windy and cooler than the city. Summer evening dome openings are offered on some dates, so check the official site for current times and prices before travelling.