Piazza San Carlo is a beautiful sight, with its twin churches, bell tower, elegant façades, and its statue in the middle! This is one of the most graceful and harmonious squares in Turin. The two baroque churches aren’t quite identical though. On the left, we have Cristina, and on the right, Carlo, both completed in 1639. Santa Cristina was commissioned by Marie Christine of France, the daughter of Henry IV and the wife of Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy. But she wasn’t just “someone’s daughter” or “someone’s wife”, she personally mapped out the cities of the Duchy of Savoy. Quite a feat, considering there was no Google Maps back then! To the right stands the Church of San Carlo Borromeo, dedicated to Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan and Cardinal of the city, who was canonised in 1610. Both churches share a similarly rich interior, with ornate detailing, paintings, frescoes and sculptures covering almost every surface. In the centre of the square stands a bronze statue of Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, one of Turin’s most iconic landmarks. Locals affectionately call it the Caval ’d Brons, the Bronze Horseman. The square has served many purposes over the centuries. It’s been a market square, a favourite meeting spot for Turin’s nobility, and even a military parade ground. Today, it’s one of the city’s most beloved gathering places, thanks to its elegant historic cafés. If you visit in the evening, you’ll see the square beautifully lit, bringing out every detail of its graceful architecture.