Piazza San Carlo, Baroque square in central Turin, Italy
Piazza San Carlo is a rectangular plaza in central Turin lined with continuous arcaded passages on all sides. Two identical churches face inward from the southern end, while the space is anchored by an equestrian statue at its center.
The plaza was designed and built by Carlo di Castellamonte between 1642 and 1650 during Turin's expansion under Savoy rule. The space emerged as a key part of the city's transformation into a modern capital.
The square is named after Duke Carlo Emanuele II of the House of Savoy and serves as a main gathering place where locals sit under the arcades, sip coffee, and watch the flow of people through the center.
The square is fully pedestrian-friendly with seating under the arcades and numerous cafés throughout. An underground parking garage offers convenient vehicle storage if you arrive by car.
The bronze equestrian statue depicts Duke Emmanuel Philibert mounted on his horse in a heroic pose following his victory at the Battle of Saint-Quentin. It remains one of the oldest surviving monuments of its kind in Italy.
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