San Filippo Neri

San Filippo Neri is a Baroque church in Turin featuring Neoclassical elements, distinguished by its large interior dimensions and elliptical chapel design. The interior is adorned with marble decorations, bas-reliefs, and ornamental details distributed across the walls and ceiling.

The original building collapsed in 1706 during the French siege of Turin, prompting architect Filippo Juvarra to design a new structure. Construction took place between 1715 and 1730, combining Baroque elements with Neoclassical influences that define the current building.

The church is named after Saint Philip Neri, a 16th-century Italian priest whose devotion is reflected in the interior layout designed for prayer and community gatherings. The elliptical chapels and decorated surfaces show how worshippers were meant to move through and experience the sacred space.

The church is accessible via Via Maria Vittoria 5, located next to the Turin Academy of Sciences building. Visitors should be prepared for the interior layout with its multiple chapels and note that the building sits within the city's historic core with limited immediate parking.

The wall of the adjacent oratory holds an embedded cannonball from the 1799 French siege, marking Turin's military past. This physical artifact offers a tangible connection to the turbulent events that shaped the city's history.