Church of San Lorenzo, Turin, Baroque church near Royal Palace, Turin, Italy
San Lorenzo is a baroque church next to the Royal Palace in Turin, following an octagonal plan with a complex dome structure above. The inner walls rise in curved arches and open into several chapels, while natural light enters through many hidden windows.
Duke Emmanuel Philibert founded the church in 1634 following a victory at Saint-Quentin. The architect Guarino Guarini completed the building later in the 17th century, shaping its extraordinary dome.
The building served as a ducal chapel for the House of Savoy and remains linked to the family's devotion. Visitors notice how sunlight moves through the dome openings, highlighting the golden stucco and the way the space draws the eye upward in a spiral motion.
The church sits directly beside the Royal Palace and is within walking distance from the main city square. Entry is through a side door, and multilingual panels inside help orient visitors through the space.
Eight intersecting arches form a star pattern in the dome that shifts with the time of day. Guarini designed this geometry without supporting columns in the central space, which was unusual for the period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
