
26.07.2011 / World Bulletin
The future of Turin
In the heart of historical Turin, San Salvario is a former industrial and working-class borough that developed in the late 19th century around the church of San Salvatore (after which it is named).
Some nice art deco buildings are still there to recall that time, especially in the maze of streets around via Petrarca, corso Sclopis, via Tiepolo, via Monti e via Marenco.
But today San Salvario is mainly a multiethnic microcosmos where four different religions coexist along with their paces of worship – the Catholic churches, the Waldensian temple, the Synagogue and the Muslim prayer halls.
And since immigrants live side-by-side with new and old residents, San Salvario has come to be considered as some sort of a pilot neighborhood, a small preview of what the city might become in the next future.
SIGHTS
Parco del Valentino
One of the first public gardens in Italy, extendig around the castle of the same name. Inside its gates you wil also find a nice botanical garden and the reconstruction of an ancient Medieval village built on the occasion of the World Expo in 1884.
Mercato di Piazza Madama Cristina
Every day from 7 am to 1 pm
A lively and colored meeting point for the neighborhood’s residents.
APERITIF
Diwan Café
Via Giuseppe Baretti 15/c
Offering aperitif and dj set every night.
Casa del Quartiere
A space devoted to social and cultural activities, made out of the old neighborhood’s Bagni Municipali (public baths). It also hosts a gorgeous bar (try the aperitif buffet with North African specialities) and a bike repair workshop.
RESTAURANTS & CO.
Trattoria Carmen
Via Ormea 15
Homemade local cuisine at a stone’s throw from the market. Only sits 30 people.
Coco’s
via Galliari 28
A very popular trattoria offering a simple and delightful cuisine. Open for lunch and aperitif.
Mar Rosso
Authentic Eritrean cuisine against a red backdrop.
Horace Kebab
via Berthollet 24
Supposedly Turin’s best (Egyptian) kebab place. Open till late hours on weekends.




