Santa Maria al Monte dei Cappuccini, church in Turin (Italy)
Santa Maria al Monte dei Cappuccini is a Renaissance church perched on a hill above Turin with a central Greek cross layout and an octagonal dome. The interior is supported by sturdy pillars and features frescoes painted by Isidoro Bianchi.
Construction began in 1583 on a hilltop when the duke donated the land to Capuchin friars who needed a home for their community. The project took over 70 years to complete, with different architects contributing to the final design.
The name comes from the Capuchin friars who established their community here centuries ago and shaped the spiritual life of the place. Visitors can sense this religious character in the quiet interior and the rhythm of daily worship.
The church sits on a hilltop with stairs or paths leading up from the lower streets, so visitors should prepare for some climbing. The location is typically open during daytime hours, and the view across the city makes the walk worthwhile.
This church survived two devastating sieges and military attacks in the 1700s that shook the city to its core. Despite these turbulent times in history, the building still stands unchanged on its hilltop.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
