Piazza Stampatori Turin – Escape from the shopping crowd

Just a few meters away from the central via Garibaldi, on the pedestrian area of Contrada Guardinfanti, there is this tiny square called Piazza Stampatori. The name refers to the printing artisans that used to have their bodegas in these blocks, together with the house of the Congregazione degli Stampatori (the Congregation of Printers).

The square is a bubble of silence and peace right next to the shopping crowd. I particularly love the dual-faced “turret”, the typical green drinking fountains of Turin where water comes out from the heads of bulls, and the old-style street lights.

The square enclosed between 4-5 storeys buildings and is so small that it is always in the shade. It is one of my favorite spots during summer hot days to have a rest and a quiet chat with friends.

A nice plus to the square is Palazzo Scaglia di Verrua, a historical building from the Italian Renaissance that has survived time and maintained its original structure and decoration. The facade is extremely pleasant and during shopping hours it is also possible to go inside the courtyard and travel in time to the XVI century. When Turin was the capital of Italy (1881-1865), Palazzo Scaglia di Verrua hosted the Russian Embassy.