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Superga Basilica
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · IT

Superga Basilica

Getting around: On a hill overlooking Turin, reachable by a historic rack railway (the Superga tram) from Sassi station on Turin's outskirts, or by car.
Hours: Typically open daily, roughly 9am-6pm (shorter in winter, with a midday closure common). Free entry to the basilica, small fee for the royal crypt and tower climb.

Superga Basilica is a grand 18th-century church built by Victor Amadeus II of Savoy in fulfillment of a vow made during a siege of Turin, designed by architect Filippo Juvarra and set on a hilltop with sweeping views over the city and, on clear days, the Alps beyond. It's part of the UNESCO-listed Savoy Residences group.

Beneath the church lies the royal crypt, the burial site of many members of the House of Savoy, giving the basilica a lasting connection to the dynasty that ruled Piedmont and later unified Italy.

The basilica is also, more somberly, associated with the 1949 air disaster that killed the entire Torino FC football team when their plane crashed into the hillside just below the church, a tragedy still commemorated locally each year.

Superga Basilica FAQs

How do I get to Superga?

A historic rack railway (tramway) runs from Sassi station on Turin's outskirts up to the basilica, or you can drive.

Why was it built?

As a vow fulfillment by Victor Amadeus II of Savoy following a successful defense of Turin during an early 18th-century siege.

What is the royal crypt?

The burial site of numerous members of the House of Savoy, located beneath the main church.

What is the connection to a football tragedy?

The entire Torino FC team died in a 1949 plane crash into the hillside near the basilica, an event still commemorated each year.

Is entry free?

The main basilica is free; the royal crypt and tower climb require a small separate fee.

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