Piazza Castello

Piazza Castello is one of Turin's main squares and displays the city's long history, from a Roman gate to a modern skyscraper. It is almost entirely surrounded by historic and interesting buildings: the Palazzo Madama; the Royal Palace; the Regio Theatre; the Galleria Subalpina; the Church of San Lorenzo; the Royal Library, which contains works by da Vinci; and in Piazzetta Mollino, the State Archives. Under the porticoes one can take a time off to go on a shopping spree or to relax in one of the many cafes. In the winter there is an open-air ice rink and in the summer, colourful flowerbeds.