Piazza San Carlo was designed by Carlo di Castellamonte in 1642 and completed in 1650. In the middle of the piazza you’ll find the equestrian statue of Emanuele Filiberto (known to all as “El Caval èd brons”), sculpted by Carlo Marocchetti in 1838. The porticoed buildings surrounding the piazza give space to numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants (such as the famous Caval èd brons, San Carlo, Torino, Stratta), emporiums (such as Paissa), and boutiques (such as Olympic). On the southern side of the piazza stand the two so-called twin churches: San Carlo and Santa Cristina. Palazzo Solaro del Borgo, which occupies the Eastern side of the piazza, was reconstructed in 1737 and is now the central office of “il Circolo del Whist” (the Whist Club), founded by Cavour. The well-to-do people of Turin love this piazza, even though via Roma crosses it and thus fills it with cars (moving and parked). The City government is considering building an overpass for cars and making the piazza a pedestrian zone. |
