Five Places Kids Love in Turin

For a city with a reputation as Italy’s stodgy industrial center, Turin has plenty of quirky and light-hearted attractions that appeal to children — and to the child in all of us. Here are some of our favorite child-friendly sights.

Medieval Fakes

The group of riverside buildings that appear to be a somewhat over-restored remnant of a neighborhood from the Middle Ages is a fake. It was, in fact, built for an exposition in 1884, using old techniques and replicating architecture and decoration from the period. Entrance is free, and inside are buildings to wander among, shops selling stuff to excite any budding princess or knight, and craftsmen demonstrating skills that include armor construction and repair. In the summer and on weekends there are often hands-on activities for children. There’s an admission fee for the Rocca Medioevale, a convincing replica of local castles, complete with frescoes and period sound effects.

Spooky Tunnels

The story of Pietro Micca blowing up the tunnel to keep French attackers from invading the Citadel through its underground passageways during a 1706 seige is an adventure tale of derring-do that fascinates kids. Better yet, a visit to the Museo Civico Pietro Micca includes a trip through the actual tunnels. Check ahead to get an English-speaking guide for the full details, but the audio headset included in the €3 admission fee (only €2 under age 18) gives the basics and sets the stage for exploring the tunnels where Pietro carried out his heroic mission. There’s also a model of Turin in the 1700s showing the walls that enclosed this whole area.

Mummies and More

There’s only one place in the world with a bigger, better collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt, and that’s in Cairo. Turin’s Museo Egizio is a wonderful combination of new state-of-the-art exhibit technology and old-fashioned collections of quirky stuff. But the kids will love the mummies, their cases and the treasures they took with them on their journey into the afterlife. Daily guided tours in English point out the highlights of the museum’s more than 26,000 artifacts. For kids deep into Egypt-mania, reserve ahead for themed tours that can focus on animals, foods, daily life, hieroglyphics or other subjects.

National Museum of Cinema in Turin, Italy © Eddygaleotti | Dreamstime.com

Movie Madness

The ride to the top of Turin’s highest building in a glass elevator is not for kids (or grown-ups) that scare easily, but the National Museum of Cinema that fills level after level of the tower atrium will delight movie fans — and those who love to know how things work. The story begins with early experiments in making images move, with behind-the-scenes looks at film making through its history. Kids get to see early sound equipment, movie props, sets and set models, and can watch famous film clips while lying on lounge chairs.

Vroom Vroom

Your car-crazy teens will thrill at the sight of 170 vintage, classic and racing cars in the Museo dell’Automobile. Turin is the home of Fiat, of which there are more than 25 examples on display here, along with other Italian makes including Alfa Romeos, Maseratis and Bugatis. The collection, one of the world’s largest, includes worldwide makes, with Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce, Jaguar and Stanley Steamer. Some date from the earliest motor vehicles, built in the mid-1800s. Movie fans get a nod here, too, with several famous cars used in films.