Torino's History: Austrian Or Italian?

did torino italy used to be in austria

Turin, a city in Northern Italy, has a rich history that dates back to 218 BC when it was known as Taurisia, founded by the Taurini. The city has been ruled by various empires and kingdoms over the centuries, including the Carthaginians, Romans, Ostrogoths, Lombards, and Franks. In the 11th century, it became linked to Savoy through the marriage of Countess Adelaide and Count Odo of Savoy. Turin was later occupied by the French in the 16th century before becoming the capital of the Duchy of Savoy in 1563. It played a significant role in the War of the Spanish Succession, during which it was besieged by French forces but ultimately relieved by Prince Eugene of Savoy. Turin became the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1720 and was a crucial centre for the Risorgimento movement, which led to Italian unification. It served as the first capital of a united Italy from 1861 to 1865. Today, Turin is known for its architectural and cultural landmarks, including the Mole Antonelliana, the Basilica of Superga, and the Shroud of Turin.

Characteristics Values
Country Italy
City Turin
History Turin was founded in 218 BC by Hannibal and the Carthaginian army. It was known as Augusta Taurinorum during Roman times and became part of the Duchy of Savoy in 1563. It was the first capital of Italy from 1861 to 1865.
Geography Turin is located in Northern Italy, surrounded by the Alps.
Population The population of the city proper is 847,622 (as of 30 June 2024).
Economy Turin is an important business and cultural centre, known for its automotive industry and as the headquarters of Fiat.
Culture Turin has a rich history and culture, with many art galleries, restaurants, churches, palaces, opera houses, piazzas, parks, and museums.

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Turin was a Roman colony known as Augusta Taurinorum

Turin, a city in Northern Italy, was once a Roman colony known as Augusta Taurinorum. The original settlement of the area, Taurisia, was founded by the Taurini, an ancient Celto-Ligurian, Alpine people. In 218 BC, the settlement was attacked by Hannibal, an ally of the Insubres, who were long-standing enemies of the Taurini. Hannibal's forces captured Taurasia after a three-day siege.

The Romans founded Augusta Taurinorum in the first century BC, probably in 28 BC. The Roman colony was established under the name of Julia Augusta Taurinorum, and later, Augusta Taurinorum. Via Garibaldi traces the exact path of the Roman city's decumanus, which began at the Porta Decumani, now incorporated into the Castello or Palazzo Madama. The Porta Palatina, on the north side of the city centre, is still preserved in a park near the cathedral.

Augusta Taurinorum had about 5,000 inhabitants, all living inside high city walls. The Roman-period theatre remains can be found in the area of the Manica Nuova. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Augusta Taurinorum, along with the rest of the Italian peninsula, was conquered by the Heruli and the Ostrogoths, then recaptured by the Romans, and finally conquered by the Lombards.

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It was the first capital of Italy

Turin, known as Torino in Italian, was the first capital of Italy from 1861 to 1865. The city is located in Northern Italy, mainly on the western bank of the Po River, and is surrounded by the Alps and Superga Hill.

Turin has a rich history and culture, with numerous art galleries, restaurants, churches, palaces, opera houses, piazzas, parks, gardens, theatres, libraries, and museums. The city is also known for its Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau architecture.

Turin was historically a major European political centre. It was the capital of the Duchy of Savoy from 1563, then of the Kingdom of Sardinia ruled by the House of Savoy. The city played a significant role in the unification of Italy, serving as the political and intellectual centre of the Risorgimento movement.

During World War II, Turin was heavily damaged by air raids, particularly in its industrial areas and city centre. However, the city was rapidly rebuilt in the postwar years, with its automotive industry playing a pivotal role in Italy's economic growth.

Today, Turin is an important business and cultural centre in Italy, known for its universities, colleges, academies, and research institutions. It is also home to the Italian automotive industry, with companies such as Fiat, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo headquartered in the city.

Turin has a population of over 800,000 within the city proper, with the metropolitan area estimated to have a population of around 2.2 million. The city is ranked third in Italy for its economic strength, after Milan and Rome.

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It was the birthplace of the Italian film industry

Turin, Italy, is known as the birthplace of Italian cinema. The city's first cinema screening occurred in March 1896, a few months after the Lumière brothers' first public screening of a film in December 1895. The first Italian director is considered to be Vittorio Calcina, a collaborator of the Lumière brothers, who filmed Pope Leo XIII in 1896.

The history of Italian cinema began when the Lumière brothers commenced public screenings in Italy in 1896, starting in Rome and Milan, and in April in Naples, Salerno and Bari. In June, they arrived in Turin, followed by Livorno in August, and Bergamo, Bologna and Ravenna in October.

In the early years of the 20th century, silent cinema developed, bringing numerous Italian stars to the forefront until the end of World War I. In the early 1900s, artistic and epic films were made as adaptations of books or stage plays. Italian filmmakers were using complex set designs, lavish costumes, and record budgets, to produce pioneering films.

The oldest European avant-garde cinema movement, Italian futurism, took place in the late 1910s. After a period of decline in the 1920s, the Italian film industry was revitalized in the 1930s with the arrival of sound film.

Turin streets were the locations for Audrey Hepburn's War and Peace, Michael Caine's The Italian Job, and Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters, among many other films.

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It was the capital of the Duchy of Savoy

Turin, Italy, was the capital of the Duchy of Savoy from 1563 until 1720.

Emmanuel Philibert, also known as Iron Head, moved the capital of the Duchy of Savoy from Chambéry to Turin in 1562. He protected the city with a complex system of fortifications known as the Cittadella, remnants of which can still be seen today.

Piazza Reale (now Piazza San Carlo) and Via Nuova (now Via Roma) were added to the city, along with the first enlargement of the walls, in the first half of the 17th century. In the same period, the Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace of Turin) was built. In the second half of the century, a second enlargement of the walls was planned and executed, with the building of the arcaded Via Po.

In 1706, during the Battle of Turin, the French besieged the city for 117 days without conquering it. The Duke of Savoy acquired Sicily, which was soon traded for Sardinia, and part of the former Duchy of Milan, and obtained the title of King of Sardinia. Thus, Turin became the capital of a European kingdom.

Turin remained the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia until 1861, when it became the first capital of a united Italy.

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It was besieged by the French in 1706

In 1706, during the Battle of Turin, the French besieged the city for 117 days without conquering it. The siege of Turin took place from June to September 1706, during the War of the Spanish Succession. A French army led by Louis de la Feuillade besieged the Savoyard capital of Turin, but the city was relieved by Prince Eugene of Savoy, who has been credited with the most brilliant campaign of the war in Italy.

By 1706, France occupied most of the Duchy of Savoy, with only its capital, Turin, remaining in the possession of its ruler, Victor Amadeus. On 2nd June, de la Feuillade began siege operations, but made little progress. Meanwhile, Prince Eugene outmanoeuvred the French field army and joined forces with 7,000 cavalry led by Victor Amadeus. On 7th September, the Allies attacked the French south of Turin and broke through their lines. Despite being outnumbered, the Allies were able to concentrate their forces and inflict heavy losses on the French.

The French were forced to withdraw from Northern Italy, and by March 1707, France, Savoy and Emperor Joseph signed the Convention of Milan, ending the war in Italy. The siege of Turin is also famous for the death of Piedmontese hero Pietro Micca, who was killed on 31st August after exploding a mine to prevent the French from breaking into one of the tunnels underneath the citadel.

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Frequently asked questions

No, Torino has never been part of Austria. However, it has been influenced by Austria and has been part of empires that included what is now Austria.

Yes, since the Middle Ages, Austria has had a great influence over the Italian states, especially in the north of the country.

Yes, Torino was part of the Roman Empire, which included parts of what is now Austria.

Yes, since the late Middle Ages, the Italians and Austrians have fought a number of wars, either as enemies or allies.

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