The monument to Carlo Alberto and its fascinating history

Piazza Carlo Alberto is halfway between Piazza Castello and the Egyptian Museum. You might pass by it accidentally. If you have ten minutes, it's worth stopping.

In the center, there's an equestrian statue of Carlo Alberto, unveiled in 1861, the same year Italy unified. The sculptor is Carlo Marochetti, a Turin artist. Carlo Alberto wears military attire, sword raised, with a determined expression, not triumphant.

The monument is dedicated to him, not another Savoy king, for this reason: In 1848, Carlo Alberto granted the Statuto Albertino, the constitution that became Italy's legal foundation. It's not a military victory monument; it's a political act monument.

At the base, you find four allegorical figures: Liberty, Equality, Martyrdom, and Statute. Plus, there are four soldiers representing Artillery, Cavalry, Grenadiers, and Bersaglieri. There are also bas-reliefs showing specific episodes: the battles of Goito and Santa Lucia, the abdication, and the death in exile in Oporto. The monument is designed as a narrative, not just a scenic presence.

A detail often overlooked: Carlo Alberto faces Palazzo Carignano, where the first Italian Parliament met.

And maybe this is what strikes you most when passing by: how much Italian political history passed through Turin. People often associate everything almost exclusively with Rome, but stopping here, you realize many of the country's institutional foundations were born right here.

Today, the square is mainly a transit point: arcades, some bookstores, historic cafes. After pedestrianization, it became much quieter. From here, you can reach the Galleria Subalpina, the Royal Palace in five minutes, or head down towards the Po. The Mole Antonelliana is about ten minutes on foot. You can get there via Piazza Castello or along Via Po under the arcades, staying in the historic center. The tour is doable entirely on foot, without needing any transport.