The Italian City That Invented Vermouth and Forgot to Tell Anyone

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If you mention Turin to most Italy travellers, they pause, nod vaguely, and say “that’s near Milan, isn’t it?” Then they book Florence or Rome and forget the conversation happened.

This is a mistake of considerable proportions. Turin invented vermouth, gave Italy its first capital city, and houses the second-largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world — outside Cairo. It does all of this without making much fuss about any of it.

The City That Invented Vermouth

In 1786, a herbalist named Antonio Benedetto Carpano stood in his shop on Piazza Castello — Turin’s grand central square — and mixed white wine with a blend of botanicals and wormwood. He called the result “vermouth,” from the German word for wormwood: Wermut.

The drink was an immediate success. Within a decade it was the drink of the Savoy royal court and the city’s elegant covered arcades were full of bars serving it over ice.

Today, vermouth is still produced in Piedmont by the same families that made it in the 18th century. Martini, Cinzano, and Carpano are all from here. When you order a Negroni anywhere in the world, the vermouth in the glass traces its origins back to a small shop in this Turinese piazza.

Italy’s Forgotten First Capital

Most people know Rome as Italy’s capital. Fewer know that Rome was not the first.

When the Kingdom of Italy was unified in 1861, Turin became its first capital. It was the seat of the House of Savoy — the royal family that led the Risorgimento — and it was from Turin that the newly unified country was first governed.

The capital moved to Florence in 1865, then to Rome in 1871. Turin was left with grand government buildings, sweeping boulevards, and a quiet dignity that comes from having once been the centre of something important. That history is still visible in every direction: Baroque palaces, enormous piazzas, and 18 kilometres of covered arcaded walkways — the highest concentration of porticoes in Italy.

The Egyptian Museum Nobody Talks About

Turin’s Museo Egizio is the oldest museum in the world dedicated entirely to ancient Egyptian civilisation. Its collection of 40,000 artefacts is second only to Cairo — and considerably easier to visit.

The connection to Egypt began with 18th-century Piedmontese diplomats who returned from travels with ancient objects. By 1824, the collection was large enough to require a dedicated museum. It has been growing ever since.

Inside, you will find intact papyrus scrolls, royal statues from Luxor, and the reconstructed tomb of the architect Kha — still containing the original objects placed there 3,500 years ago, including food offerings and a complete set of clothing. Most Italy visitors never come here. Most who do say it was the best thing they saw all trip.

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The Streets That Make Turin Worth Walking

Turin’s defining feature is not one monument — it is the streets themselves. The portici, covered arcaded walkways lining the ground floors of buildings through the city centre, mean you can walk for kilometres without stepping into the rain. They are busy in all weather, filled with pasticcerie, bookshops, and cafés that have been serving coffee since before Italy existed as a country.

Caffè Al Bicerin, open since 1763, still serves Turin’s famous drink: the bicerin, a layered combination of espresso, dark chocolate, and cream in a small glass. The recipe has not changed. The décor has barely changed either.

Baratti & Milano (1875) and Caffè Fiorio (1780) are both within easy walking distance. These are not tourist attractions performing their age — they are working cafés where locals come in the morning for coffee, and again in the afternoon, and again before dinner. Sitting in one is as close to 19th-century Turin as you are likely to get.

The Chocolate and the Wine Country on the Doorstep

Turin’s other enduring invention is the gianduiotto: a small, boat-shaped chocolate made from dark chocolate blended with Piedmontese hazelnuts. The recipe came about during the Napoleonic wars, when cocoa was scarce. Turin’s chocolatiers stretched their supply with local hazelnuts. The combination was so good it never went away.

The gianduiotto is sold in gold foil wrappers throughout the city’s chocolate shops and pasticcerie. Pick them up by the bag. They travel well.

The city also sits at the edge of some of Italy’s finest wine country. The wine villages of Piedmont — home to Barolo and Barbaresco — are less than an hour’s drive through the Langhe hills, and easily combined with a Turin visit for a two- or three-day trip.

Most people drive through Turin on their way to somewhere else. They see the motorway signs and keep going. They are missing the city that gave Italy its crown, gave the world vermouth, and quietly built one of the greatest collections of ancient history anywhere in Europe. Turin does not ask for your attention. It simply rewards whoever gives it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Turin worth visiting in Italy?

Absolutely. Turin is one of Italy’s most underrated cities — it has world-class museums including the Egyptian Museum, beautiful Baroque architecture, covered arcaded streets, historic cafés, and excellent food. It receives a fraction of the visitors that Rome, Florence, or Venice attract, which makes it far more relaxed to explore.

What is Turin most famous for?

Turin is famous for being Italy’s first capital city (1861–1865), the birthplace of vermouth (invented here in 1786), the home of Fiat, the home of the Shroud of Turin, and the location of the world’s greatest Egyptian museum outside Cairo. It is also known for its chocolate tradition, particularly gianduiotti.

When is the best time to visit Turin?

Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit Turin. The weather is mild, the arcaded streets are pleasant to walk, and the surrounding Piedmont countryside is at its most beautiful. Summer can be hot but the porticoes provide welcome shade.

How many days do you need in Turin?

Two to three days is ideal for Turin. Day one covers the Egyptian Museum, the Royal Palace, and a walk along Via Po and the arcades. Day two works well for the Mole Antonelliana, the cinema museum, and a deeper exploration of the neighbourhoods. Adding a half-day trip to the Langhe wine villages rounds off the visit perfectly.

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