ROUTE 158. MODANE TO TURIN. 67 miles; 1st class, 12.95 francs; 2nd, 9.20 francs; 3rd, 6.60 francs. For description of Route from Paris see page 364. EAVING Modane, we soon enter the great Mont Cenis tunnel, which is 7 miles in length. It is 19 feet high and 26 feet wide, and is lined almost throughout with masonry. Halfan-hour is required for the transit. The air in the tunnel is not disagreeable. At the south end is the station of Bardoneccia, soon after leaving which we enter the valley of the Dora Riparia. Several tunnels and four small stations are passed before Bussoleno, where a branch line goes off to Susa at the foot of the Mont Cenis Pass. At Avigliana the valley broadens into a plain and we soon reach 66 C. TURIN (67 miles) (Hotels: see 'HOTEL LIST"). CABS.-Per course, 1 fr.; per hour, 1 fr.; per hour, 1 fr. 20 Baggage, 20 c. per package. RESTAURANTS.-Cambio, Piazza Carignano; Paris, Via di Po 21. CAFES Café de Paris and Café S. Carlo. Romano, Café Chautant. THEATRES.-Theatro Regno, in the P. Castello; operas and ballets; seats for 2500. Carignano, in the P. Carignano. D'Angennes, Via Borgo Naeoro; Scribe, 29 Via Zecca; French plays. ENGLISH CHURCH SERVICE in the church behind the Vaudois church. It is beautifully situated in an extensive and fertile plain, surrounded by the Alps, at the confluence of the Dora-Susina with the Po. No city in Italy can boast of such magnificent streets and avenues, or finer piazzas and buildings, and the tourist who passes on to Milan, Florence, or Rome, without making a stay at Turin, misses seeing one of the handsomest and most interesting cities in Italy. We say this, as it is too much the idea that there is little of interest in Turin, beyond its wide streets and handsome palace. Turin is first mentioned in history in the time of Hannibal, by whom it was taken and sacked, on his descent into Italy after crossing the Alps. It became a royal colony, 166 B.C., and was called Augusta Taurinorum. On the fall of the Empire, it went to the Lombards, and became the capital of one of the thirty Lombard duchies; thence it passed successively to Charlemagne, to the Marquises of Susa, and to the Princes of Savoy, who made it the capital of their states. was taken by the French in 1506 and in 1640, and again reoccupied by them in 1800. In 1815 it was finally restored to the House of Savoy. It The principal point of interest in Turin is the PIAZZA CASTELLO, situated almost in the centre of the town. It derives its name from the castle known as the Palazzo Madama, or Lady Palace, which is built in the centre, and now used for Government offices. Surrounding the place are the Royal Palace, the Theatre, and other buildings of imposing architecture, underneath the first stories of which run handsome arcades with fine shops, &c. The ROYAL PALACE, built by Charles Emmanuel II., and designed by Castellamonte, is a huge structure, with its open courts bounded by porticoes. Its exterior, which is of plain but handsome proportions, forms the western portion of the Piazza Castello. The bronze equestrian statues of Castor and Pollux, which decorate the pillars of the doorway, are by Sangiorgio. In the Hall of the Palace, to which the public are admitted at all times, is an equestrian statue of Victor Amadeus I. The statue is of bronze, and the horse of marble. Among other statues here worthy of notice are those of Carlo Alberti by Vela, and Emmanuel Philibert by Varni. The apartments to which the vast staircases conduct are very large and handsome, and are sumptuously furnished. During the absence of the king admission can generally be obtained. The most interesting portion of the Palace is the ROYAL ARMOURY, which is entered from the first door to the right in the arcade. Tickets to be obtained between 11 and 3 o'clock at the office of the secretary, on the ground floor. Sundays free from 11 to 3. The custodian expects a fee (to 1 franc). In the first room are several interesting relics of Napoleon I. Among them, the sword he wore at Marengo, two kettle drums captured at the battle of Turin, and a quadrant he used when a young lieutenant. Besides these there are models of modern arms, several swords presented to the late King Victor Emmanuel, a cabinet containing numerous gifts presented to him by various Italian towns, and the favourite horse of Charles Albert. The Long Hall contains a very fine collection of arms, suits of armour, helmets, and shields. Many of the weapons and suits of armour are of special interest, among them the sword of St Maurice and the sabre of Tippoo Sahib. A small room adjacent contains a very valuable collection of ivories, coins, mosaics, &c. The PRIVATE LIBRARY of the king contains over 50,000 volumes and many interesting manuscripts. Also a valuable collection of drawings by the ancient masters. The PALACE GARDEN, which commands a fine view of the Superga, was laid out by Le Notre, so well known as the designer of the Tuilleries Gardens at Paris. It is entered from the arcade opposite the Palazzo Madama. Behind the Palace Garden is a Zoological Garden. The PALAZZO MADAMA dates as far back as the commencement of the 13th century. It was repaired and enlarged by Amadeus VIII. in 1416, and then formed the residence of the Dukes of Savoy. Philip Juvara added the façade in 1720. This façade, admirable for the graces of its style and its ornaments, was intended to be reproduced on the other three sides of the edifice. The grand staircase leads to numerous and spacious halls. The original towers on the east side are still standing. They formerly served as prisons. The Senate held its sittings here before the removal of the capital. In the Piazza in front of this palace is a Monument to the Sardinian army, erected in 1859 by the citizens of Milan. It represents a soldier defending a banner. The relief represents King Victor Emmanuel at the head of his army. South of and close by the Piazza Castello, is the PIAZZA CARIGNANO, in which are the Palazzo Carignano, where the Italian Chamber of Deputies for merly held its sessions. The rooms now contain an interesting Natural History Collection. In front of the palace is a fine marble statue of the patriot Gioberti. In the Piazza Carlo Alberto, to the east of the Piazza Carignano, is a very handsome monument of King Charles Albert by Marochetti, which was cast in London. Near by is the PALAZZO DELL' ACCADEMIA DELLE SCIENZE, open daily 9 to 3. Admission 1 fr. Sundays, 11 to 3, free. On the ground floor are specimens of Roman, Greek, and Egyptian sculpture. On the first and second floors is a superb collection of Egyptian and Græco-Roman antiquities, which has been over fifty years in collecting. Our space does not allow us to enter into a detailed description of the various objects of interest here, but the traveller should by no means miss seeing them. Also on the second floor is the PICTURE GALLERY. The gallery contains paintings by the ablest masters of the Italian, German, Dutch, and Flemish schools. The pictures are arranged in classes, and the collection may challenge comparison with those of the first cities of Italy. It boasts the works of Raphael, Julio Romano, Titian, Guido, Domenichino, Ferrari, Bienvenu, Garoffalo, Sassoferrato, the "Four Elements" of Albino, landscapes of Claude Lorraine, Poussin, Canaletto, &c., as well as fine specimens of Teniers, Paul Potter, Rembrandt, Wouvermans, Van Dyck, Van Huysen, Albert Durer, &c. Adjoining the Academy is the spacious Plazza S. Carlo, in the centre of which is a bronze equestrian statue of Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, by Marochetti. The bas-reliefs on the west side represent the battle of St Quentin, and on the east the treaty of peace in 1558, by which the house of Savoy regained the Duchy. The University is a large Renaissance building on the Rue de Po, commenced by Victor Amadeus in 1713. The Library (open every day) contains over 200,000 volumes and 3000 MSS. The Municipal Museum, in the Via di Gandenzio Ferrari, contains a collection of ethnological, prehistoric, and mediæval objects, besides a collection of paintings, stained glass, and other works of art. The Accademia Albertine des Beaux Arts, 6 Via dell' Accademia (open daily except Sundays), contains an interesting collection of the ancient and modern masters. The CATHEDRAL, in the Renaissance style, was built in 1498. The façade is very handsome. The Chapel del S. S. Sudario is a lofty rotunda, surrounded with columns of black polished marble with gilded capitals and bases. Over the altar of this chapel, in a species of urn, is preserved the handkerchief with which, it is said, the Saviour wiped His brow whilst carrying the cross, and which is supposed to bear the impress of His face. (Entrance to the chapel before 9 A.M.) There are no less than seven handkerchiefs in existence which claim with equal authority to be the genuine San Sudario. One of them is at St Peter's in Rome, another at Milan, there are three in France, and one at Aix la Chapelle. Upon the southern side of the city is the Giardino Pubblico, the favourite evening promenade. It contains statues of Daniel Manin, Balbo, and Generals Bava and Pepe. The Piazza Vittorio Emanuele is one of the finest squares in Europe for size, regularity of architecture, and beauty of situa tion. Among other squares are the Piazza Carlo Felice, with porticoes and a fine garden; and the Palazzo Carlo Alberto, with an equestrian statue of the king of that name by Marochetti. Other interesting statues are those of Count Cavour, in the Piazza Carlo Emmanuel II., the equestrian statue of the Duke of Genoa, in the Piazza Solferino, representing the Duke at the battle of Norara at the moment his horse is killed under him; and the statue to the Conte Verde, a fine bronze group, opposite the Municipal Palace. The enormous MEMORIAL BUILDING erected by the Turinese to the memory of Victor Emmanuel II. is not yet completed. Its already lofty height can be seen from almost all portions of the city. THE SUPERGA, a handsome church (embellished by a portico of eight marble columns, and surmounted by a cupola, erected by Victor Amadeus II. to commemorate the raising of the famous siege of Turin in 1706, on the very spot from whence Prince Eugene reconnoitred the position of the French army), is about five miles from Turin, on the summit of a hill on the south side of the river. It commands delightful views over steam from below. By a new Through saloon carriages run 18th 20th Novem 1669. brand Hotel de Turin- very the city, the suburbs, the Po, ft. Wiel and the surrounding country. pose those of Victor Amadeus tut II., whose name figures in history with those of Eugene and Marlborough. It was in a meadow near Carmagnola that Eugene Scanty obry broad Ending James fountains-City and the Duke of Savoy met for ell med ma-prospends A mountain railway has re- Me beagan the first time. cently been constructed to the summit of the Superga. The carriages ascend by means of an endless double cable, worked by Left furim at 8,29. 26th hovemberarrived at Hou Continental Inlay Crossing the torrents of Orco and Malone, which flow into the Po, we reach CHIVASSO (18 miles), on the left bank of the Po, formerly a place of importance. The Church of San Pietro dating from the 15th century, is adorned with mouldings and statues of terra cotta. The high tower, surmounted by two mul (A portion of the ancient palace of the Counts of Montferrat. branch line of 21 miles turns off to Ivrea.) Near Livorno we see Monte at 12. Found, iberry trees, is the only remaining very cold but had comfortable room with fire. Alebrated the 2 how Let wit a little sinnse, - p aftermark heard af te -mignonoopera Rosa, and on the left we see the peak of Monte Cervin (the Mat terhorn). From Santhia (37 miles) a branch line of 18 miles turns off to Biella. Crossing the Cavour Canal, which, supplied by the Po, is the means of irrigating a vast extent of country previously suffering greatly for lack of water, we pass San Germano (40 miles), and reach VERCELLI (50 miles) (Hotel: Tre Re), a bishop's see, situated near the left bank of the Sesia. Good views of the Alps may be obtained from the boulevards at the north-west side of the town. The Duomo (Cathedral) was built in the 16th century, in the Italian style. The portico is fine, and is adorned with statues. The interior has been restored, having suffered during the occupation of the town by the French, in the time of the first Empire. The library contains a good collection of valuable manuscripts. The Church of St Andrea, erected by the munificence of Cardinal Guala de Bicchieri, papal legate in England in the reigns of John and Henry III., is a mixture of the Gothic and Lombard styles. The Hospital was built by the same Cardinal. |