Turin is one of the great industrial areas of northern Italy. Hydroelectric stations along the Po furnish power for manufacturing. The city produces automobiles, ball bearings, rubber and tires, clothing, textiles, leather goods, paper, chemicals, and food products. The city is served by Caselle Airport.

The city's Valentino Park along the Po is a popular tourist attraction. The University of Turin was founded in 1404. The cathedral of St. John the Baptist was built from 1491 to 1498. It houses the chapel of the Holy Shroud (the Shroud of Turin), in which is the urn that holds the cloth formerly believed to have been used to wrap the body of Jesus after his crucifixion. The city's most imposing structure is the Palazzo Madama, a castle begun in the 13th century that now houses the Museum of Ancient Art. The city also has an excellent Egyptian museum. The great Sabauda gallery contains an outstanding collection of paintings. The Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia auto museum has models dating back to 1893.

Turin's name—Torino in Italian—comes from the Taurini Gauls who lived there in pre-Roman times. During the reign of Augustus, the Romans rebuilt and walled the city. In 570 it fell to the Lombards, and under Charlemagne it was assigned to the margraves of Susa. Linked to the House of Savoy in 1046 by a noble marriage, it served as the capital of the Piedmont (a region of northwestern Italy) for several centuries. In 1720 it became the capital of the kingdom of Sardinia, and in the years 1861 to 1865 it was the capital of the newly united Italy. The city was heavily bombed by Allied air raids during World War II, but by 1959 its industries and landmarks had been restored. Population (2000), 903,703.