Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo (Royal Church of Saint Lawrence), Turin
On the 10th of August 1557, the Feast of Saint Lawrence, the Hapsburg army, led by Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, soundly defeated the French in the Battle of Saint-Quentin in France. Turin and Savoy were returned to Duke Emmanuel. He made the capital in Turin. He erected the Royal Church of Saint Lawrence in 1634.
Architect Guarino Guarini was a great fan and innovator of Baroque principles established by the Roman Architect Francesco Borromini. In the Church of Saint Lawrence, Guarini took the classical orders of column and entablature far beyond tradition.
The ground plan is a square. The square becomes an octagon at the level of the entablatures above the columns. It changes to a Greek cross at the level of the pendentives of the vaults. The base of the dome is circular, supported by eight ribs. The choir is elliptical. The high altar gets natural light from a hidden dome.
The dome is supported by eight intersecting arches reminiscent of the eight-pointed stars seen in mosques, with smaller windows decorating the areas between the arches. The lantern atop the dome is octagonal. As a result of the way the geometric characteristics interact with the reflection of light, the dome takes the shape of an ominous-looking face. People call it the "face of the devil."
Architect Guarino Guarini was a great fan and innovator of Baroque principles established by the Roman Architect Francesco Borromini. In the Church of Saint Lawrence, Guarini took the classical orders of column and entablature far beyond tradition.
The ground plan is a square. The square becomes an octagon at the level of the entablatures above the columns. It changes to a Greek cross at the level of the pendentives of the vaults. The base of the dome is circular, supported by eight ribs. The choir is elliptical. The high altar gets natural light from a hidden dome.
The dome is supported by eight intersecting arches reminiscent of the eight-pointed stars seen in mosques, with smaller windows decorating the areas between the arches. The lantern atop the dome is octagonal. As a result of the way the geometric characteristics interact with the reflection of light, the dome takes the shape of an ominous-looking face. People call it the "face of the devil."
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Turin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo (Royal Church of Saint Lawrence) on Map
Sight Name: Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo (Royal Church of Saint Lawrence)
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Turin, Italy (See walking tours in Turin)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Turin, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Turin
Creating your own self-guided walk in Turin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Turin Introduction Walking Tour
A Roman colony called Julia Augusta Taurinorum was established in 28 BC. Today the city known as Turin is the capital city of the Piedmont region of Italy. The Romans planned the town as a grid. Garibaldi Street (via Garibaldi) today follows the pattern of the Roman north-south street.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Turin was occupied in turn by Ostrogoths, Lombards, and the Franks of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Turin was occupied in turn by Ostrogoths, Lombards, and the Franks of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Coffee, Food and Chocolate Tour in Turin
Among other things, the capital of Italy's Piedmont region – Turin – is well known for its rich culinary tradition, which includes long-standing coffee and chocolate culture. There are several cafes and coffee houses in the city that have been in business for hundreds of years.
The most notable of them are found in the historic heart of the city, such as the Caffè al Bicerin.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
The most notable of them are found in the historic heart of the city, such as the Caffè al Bicerin.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles