Galleria Umberto I.Torino

Galleria Umberto I is a glass-roofed shopping gallery with metal framework that runs through an entire city block in Turin's historic center. The structure follows a cruciform layout, connecting two main squares through a broad passage lined with shops and cafes.

The gallery opened in 1890 on the site of a hospital that had served the city since around 1480. This transformation from a medical facility to a modern shopping complex reflects Turin's industrial-era urban renewal.

This gallery remains a gathering spot where people from Turin walk through shops, pause at cafes, and move between the squares on either end. The covered passage feels like a different world from the busy streets outside, creating a sheltered social space in the city center.

The gallery is easy to find and serves as a natural shortcut between two squares in the city center. The glass roof overhead means the passage stays bright and accessible even on cloudy or rainy days.

Inside the gallery operates a historic pharmacy that traces its origins to 1575, making it older than the building itself. This shop preserves its original interior and represents a rare thread of continuity from an earlier Turin.

Location: Turin

Inception: 1890

Official opening: 1890

Address: Via Basilica 3, Torino

GPS coordinates: 45.07459,7.68322

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:20