Piazza Carlo Alberto (Carlo Alberto Square), Turin

Carlo Alberto Square, located in the historic centre of Turin, is a refined square named after King Carlo Alberto of Savoy, who reigned from 1831 to 1849. The square occupies the site of a former Jesuit college garden, redesigned in the mid-19th century as part of Turin’s urban expansion. At its centre stands the bronze equestrian statue of Carlo Alberto, created in 1861 by sculptor Carlo Marochetti, which commemorates the king’s role in granting the Statuto Albertino, the constitutional charter that laid the foundation for Italy’s future unification. This monument gives the square both its name and its historical resonance.

Surrounded by elegant 19th-century palaces, Carlo Alberto Square reflects the architectural refinement typical of Turin during the Savoy dynasty’s reign. Its symmetry and orderly layout are complemented by the dignified façades of the buildings that enclose it, which once housed aristocratic residences and now contain cultural institutions. Among these, the most prominent is the National University Library (Biblioteca Nazionale Universitaria), one of the oldest and largest libraries in Italy, which faces directly onto the square and adds to its intellectual atmosphere.

Today, Carlo Alberto Square serves as a meeting point for both locals and visitors. The square’s open, pedestrian-friendly space invites strolling and quiet reflection, while nearby cafés and bookshops offer opportunities to pause and enjoy the lively yet calm rhythm of Turin’s city life. Blending history, architecture, and civic pride, the square is more than just a scenic spot; it is a reminder of the city’s central role in Italy’s cultural and political development.