Turin Cathedral
Renaissance cathedral home to the Shroud
Overview
Churches in Turin
Turin's five most rewarding churches – from the Cathedral with the Shroud, through Guarini's Baroque domes, to the Basilica of Superga high above the city. Location, admission and tips.
Basilica di Superga
Baroque basilica with the royal crypt above Turin
San Lorenzo
Baroque royal church on Piazza Castello
Gran Madre di Dio
Neoclassical domed church on the Po
Santuario della Consolata
Baroque Marian shrine in the Quadrilatero Romano
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Contents
Turin's churches are a feast of the Baroque – the master builders Guarino Guarini and Filippo Juvarra left the city some of Italy's boldest domes. On top of that, the Shroud makes Turin home to one of Christianity's most famous relics. Most of these churches sit in the centre, while one crowns the hill across the Po. Here are the five most rewarding, with location and full details also in the overview below.
The main churches at a glance
The most important is Turin Cathedral, San Giovanni Battista, home to the Holy Shroud. The original rests year-round in a climate-controlled case in the left aisle and is displayed unfolded only at rare expositions; a scale copy is freely viewable at the Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo. San Lorenzo is also Guarini's masterpiece — its star-shaped ribbed dome of eight interlocking arches recalls Islamic architecture.
Guarini also created the original design for the Santuario della Consolata, the city's Marian shrine; the oval presbytery and high altar were added later by Juvarra, and the radial chapels by Carlo Ceppi around 1900. Across the Po, the neoclassical domed church of Gran Madre di Dio closes off the sightline from the centre — more a photogenic landmark than an interior worth lingering in. Finally, high above Turin stands Juvarra's Basilica of Superga, with the burial crypt of the House of Savoy and sweeping views of the Alps.
Admission, tickets and visiting tips
The nave is free to enter everywhere — a few optional extras carry a charge. San Lorenzo, the Consolata and Gran Madre di Dio are entirely free. At the Cathedral, the visit itself is free; the Shroud chapel (Cappella della Sindone) is reached not from the cathedral but only via the Musei Reali (full ticket €15). At Superga, the basilica and the Cappella del Voto are free, while three separately bookable tickets carry a charge: the climb to the dome, €4 (reduced €3), the royal crypt, €6 (reduced €5, guided visit only), and the royal apartment, €6 (reduced €5). There's no official combined ticket.
All five are active places of worship: they're quietest on weekday mornings outside Mass times. Dress modestly, with shoulders covered. For Superga, a clear day is worth planning around for the Alpine views — the ride up on the historic Sassi–Superga rack railway is an experience in itself.
Frequently asked questions
Which churches in Turin are must-sees?+
Top of the list is Turin Cathedral, San Giovanni Battista, home to the Holy Shroud. If you're interested in architecture, the Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo follows, with Guarini's star-shaped ribbed dome. Then come the Consolata, the city's Marian shrine, and the Basilica of Superga on its hilltop, with the royal crypt and views of the Alps. The Gran Madre di Dio on the Po is more of a photogenic landmark than an essential stop.
How many major churches does Turin have?+
We cover the five most important in detail — the Cathedral, San Lorenzo, the Consolata, Gran Madre di Dio and the Basilica of Superga. Beyond those, Turin has plenty of other notable Baroque churches, including San Filippo Neri, the city's largest church, the twin churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo on Piazza San Carlo, and the Madonna del Carmine.
Which churches in Turin are free to visit?+
The nave is free to enter at all five churches — the Cathedral, San Lorenzo, the Consolata and Gran Madre di Dio have no admission charge, and neither do the basilica or the Cappella del Voto at Superga. Charges apply only to a few optional extras: at Superga, the climb to the dome (€4, reduced €3), the royal crypt (€6, reduced €5, guided visit only) and the royal apartment (€6, reduced €5); at the Cathedral, the Cappella della Sindone, reached separately via the Musei Reali (full ticket €15).
Where in Turin can you see the Shroud, or a copy of it?+
The original Shroud rests year-round, free of charge, in a climate-controlled conservation case inside Turin Cathedral; it is displayed unfolded only at rare, publicly announced expositions. A scale copy, useful for studying the dimensions and the imprint, hangs freely accessible in the Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo near the sacristy. Further copies can be seen at the Museo della Sindone and the Chiesa del Santo Sudario, both for a fee.
What's the best time to visit Turin's churches?+
All five churches are quietest on weekday mornings outside Mass times — they are active places of worship, and visiting is limited during services. For Superga, a clear day is worth planning around, so the Alps show up from the hilltop. Modest, shoulder-covering dress is expected inside all of them.