The Santo Volto church and Dora Park, a rehabilitated industrial wasteland

Located just north of Turin, the Santo Volto church was built on a former industrial estate that had been left to lie fallow. The area was part of a major renovation plan to host the 2006 Winter Olympics. After more than two years of work, involving around a hundred workers, the church was inaugurated in December 2006.

Among the industrial structures preserved by the architect is the forge chimney. This tall white tower has been set with a spiky metal spiral to recall the crown of Christ. This ascending spiral creates a link between heaven and earth.

The architect has succeeded in creating a church that is both contemporary and in keeping with the history of the site. The church's seven 35-metre-high towers have a shape and colour reminiscent of the chimneys of the old factories.

When you enter the church, at the far end, behind the altar, is the face of Christ in mosaic. Santo Volto, Italian for "Holy Face", refers to the Holy Shroud of Turin, the sheet on which Christ's face is said to have appeared after the crucifixion. This relic is kept in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Turin.

Finally, around the church, to revitalise the neighbourhood and create spaces for social interaction, a large park, Parc Dora, has been laid out, incorporating the remains of the metal industrial structures. For example, benches, trees and a skate park sit harmoniously alongside an old cooling chimney.

🚌 How do I get to the church?

There are several ways to get to the Santo Volto church: take tram 3 or 9 and stop at the Piero della Francesca stop. Bus 22 also takes you there, stopping at the stop of the same name.

📍 Address: Via Val della Torre, 11, 10149 Torino TO, Italy

Among the accommodation located around the Santo Volto church, the Parc Dora View Apartment is very popular for its proximity to the park, of course, but also for its amenities.

The only drawback is that you need to book in advance, especially during the school holidays, as it is particularly popular with couples with children.

Another option, with a slightly higher budget but including breakfast: the Art Hotel Olympic. This hotel, located 500 metres from the Dora Park and the Santo Volto church, is in the former Olympic Village, which was designed to house the press.