Piazza Vittorio Veneto is Turin on a grand scale: a vast arcaded square at the eastern end of Via Po, where the historic centre opens towards the River Po and the hills beyond. Locals call it Piazza Vittorio. Rather than a single monument, its appeal lies in the sweep of its porticoes and the view across the water to the church of Gran Madre di Dio.
Laid out in the early 19th century as Turin expanded towards the river, the square reflects the orderly urban planning of the Savoy capital. Its present name commemorates the 1918 Battle of Vittorio Veneto, a decisive Italian victory in the First World War. Across the Vittorio Emanuele I bridge, the neoclassical Gran Madre provides a striking focal point against the green hillside.
Today, Piazza Vittorio Veneto is as much a meeting place as an architectural landmark. Cafés, bars and restaurants fill the arcades, and terraces draw aperitivo crowds into the evening. It is also a useful starting point for a walk along the Po, a crossing to Gran Madre or a stroll up portico-lined Via Po towards Piazza Castello.
Come in the late afternoon for soft light on the hills and the start of aperitivo, or visit in the morning for a quieter look at the square. Spring and early autumn are particularly pleasant for walking. The piazza is easily reached on foot from central Turin and by public transport; take care at crossings around its busy edges, and expect more noise on weekend nights.