Basilica di Superga

Juvarra's domed basilica on a hill above the city — a place of royal tombs, sweeping views, and quiet mourning.

Price: Basilica free; royal tombs and dome ticketed separately
Hours: Roughly 9am–7pm, shorter in winter
Avg. visit: 1.5–2 hours including transport
Book ahead: Not usually needed

Filippo Juvarra, the leading architect of the Savoy court, designed the basilica in fulfilment of a vow made by Duke Vittorio Amedeo II during a decisive 1706 siege of Turin — a promise that if the city survived, a church would be built on the hill from which he had directed the defence. Completed in 1731, the basilica became the burial place for much of the House of Savoy, whose royal tombs remain in the crypt below.

A rack railway has climbed the hill to the basilica since 1884, one of the oldest funicular-style systems still in operation in Italy. The site carries a second, sadder layer of history: in 1949, an aircraft carrying the entire Torino football team — then the dominant force in Italian football — crashed into the hillside directly behind the basilica in thick fog, killing everyone aboard. A memorial at the crash site remains a place of pilgrimage for football fans.

Inside

What to see

Juvarra's dome and the basilica's harmonious Baroque facade, framed by twin bell towers
The Savoy royal tombs in the crypt beneath the basilica
The panoramic terrace, with views over Turin and, on clear days, a full sweep of the Alps
The Grande Torino memorial at the 1949 air disaster site behind the basilica

Practical

Good to know

The rack railway from Sassi station does not run every day — check the current timetable before planning a trip that depends on it.
The basilica itself is free to enter, though the royal tombs and dome climb are typically ticketed separately.
The Alpine panorama from the terrace is one of the best in the region on a clear day, rivalling the view from the Mole Antonelliana.

Timing

When it's busiest

Morning: Quiet
Midday: Moderate
Afternoon: Moderate
Late afternoon: Quiet

Nearby

Combine your visit

Across town

Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile

Pair the hilltop basilica with the city's serious automotive history museum.

Visit →

Back in the centre

Mole Antonelliana & Museo Nazionale del Cinema

Compare views from Turin's other great panoramic vantage point.

Visit →

Another Savoy site

Reggia di Venaria Reale

See another grand Savoy commission on the opposite side of the city.

Visit →

FAQ

Common questions

Does the rack railway run every day?

Historically no — it has operated on a limited schedule rather than daily, so check current timetables before planning around it.

Is entry free?

The basilica itself is free; the royal tombs and any dome climb are typically ticketed separately.

What is the Grande Torino memorial?

A memorial marking the site where an aircraft carrying the entire Torino football team crashed in 1949, killing everyone aboard — a significant moment in Italian football history.

Is the view worth the trip?

Yes, on a clear day — the panorama over Turin and the Alps from the terrace is among the best in the region.