Torino, Italia
Good morning. This morning we went out for a walk with Lulu and her family. We went to Caffè Torino in Piazza San Carlos. Piazza San Carlo is one of the most important squares in Turin’s historic centre. It is considered “the living room of the city” by some people. In the middle of the square, there is the Monument to Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, created by Carlo Marochetti in 1838, also known as Caval ëd Bronz (bronze horse, in Piedmontese), which depicts the duke in the act of sheathing his sword after the victory of San Quentin.
There are numerous historic buildings surround the square. It was towards the end of the eighteenth century that the square assumed its current elegant appearance. One end of the piazza is anchored by the baroque twin churches of San Carlo Borromeo and Santa Maria di Miracoli. The arrangement recalls the twin churches (chiese gemelle) of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto located in the Piazza del Popolo in Roma.
In 1903 a coffee shop opened in the piazza near the church of San Carlo, at the intersection of Via Roma and Via Alfieri. It was soon nicknamed “café d’la Sacrestia” (coffee shop of the sacristy). King Umberto I, Mafalda and Maria di Savoia, elegant like no other, with their heads held high, used to arrive at the Caffè Torino with a wing of butlers in their wake and the waiters in livery went out to greet them.
It was in the little caffè that every Friday, Ida Einaudi waited for her husband Luigi, President of the Republic, to return from Rome to share a quick aperitif. And it was also here that Alcide De Gasperi came to relax after the passionate rallies he held on the square.
In the fifties stars like James Stewart, Ava Gardner, Brigitte Bardot and Erminio Macario visited the caffé. Renowned for its coffee, bonbons and pastries, in the late seventies its business expanded with the addition of the restaurant L’Infernot.
Piazza San Carlo, St. Charles’s Square in English, has had many names. It has been known as Piazza Reale, Piazza d’Armi and Place Napoléon. It was laid out in the Baroque style in the 16th and 17th centuries. The porticos on the sides of the square were designed by Carlo di Castellamonte around 1638.
The square is a regular stage for various historical and social events, including election rallies, concerts, sports events (like the 2006 Winter Olympics and Juventus) and live TV shows. It was one of the proposed locations for the Eurovision Village at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022, before Parco del Valentino was eventually chosen as the location for the village. The Rocking 1000 pre-recorded a performance of John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” took place in the square for the opening of the Eurovision final.
It is a fun place to visit. It has been said that the sweet legacy of the Gianduiotto began here in this square. Gianduiotto, is also often said to be the first candy bar. It is a delectable Italian chocolate treat. The story of Gianduiotto begins in the 19th century in Turin, Italy. Legend has it that during a shortage of cocoa, ingenious chocolatiers mixed hazelnuts with cocoa to stretch their chocolate supply. The resulting paste was molded into an unusual oval shape, resembling the hat worn by the Turinese character "Gianduja," a symbol of the region.
Gianduiotto quickly became a local favorite, celebrated for its creamy texture and the perfect balance of sweet chocolate and nutty hazelnut flavors. The chocolate was initially named "Gianduja" after the iconic character, but over time, it evolved into the distinctive Gianduiotto today.
As the years passed, Gianduiotto gained widespread popularity not only in Turin but throughout Italy and beyond. Chocolatiers refined the recipe, experimenting with different ratios of hazelnuts and cocoa to achieve the perfect blend. The confection became synonymous with the Piedmont region, and its reputation for quality craftsmanship and indulgent flavor spread far and wide.
Gianduiotto's popularity soared, especially during festive seasons and holidays. The chocolate treat has become a symbol of joy, often exchanged as gifts among friends and family. Its distinctive shape and delightful taste contributed to its status as a cherished cultural and culinary icon.
Yes, we visited Domori a chocolate store just across the way from Caffè Torino. Lulu had a great time. The chocolates are amazing.
That’s all there is today folks. Enrico e Maria
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