Santa Rita (Turin)
Santa Rita is a district of Turin southwest of the city centre; since 1 January 2016 it has been part of Circoscrizione 2 Santa Rita - Mirafiori Nord - Mirafiori Sud, which has over 130,000 inhabitants.[1][2] It takes its name from the sanctuary of Santa Rita da Cascia, whose construction began the urbanization beyond the old customs boundary.[3]
From farmsteads to city
In past centuries the area was agricultural and made up of farmsteads, many of which were involved in the siege of 1706; some, such as Roccafranca and Anselmetti, can still be seen.[4] With the relocation of Piazza d'Armi came barracks, a military hospital and public housing, and around 1900 the Mazzini school was built in Liberty style along with the houses of Via Tripoli.[4]
The sanctuary
The founder of the parish, Monsignor Giovanni Baloire, recognized the need for it around 1916 in an area of working-class housing.[5] The sanctuary, in Piazza Santa Rita, was built in 1927-1933 to a design by the Salesian Giulio Valotti, in an eclectic style inspired by French neo-Gothic, and consecrated on 11 May 1957; it houses a 1940 canvas by Giovanni Crida.[5]
The stadium
On Corso Sebastopoli stands the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, inaugurated on 14 May 1933 as the «Stadio Municipale Benito Mussolini» for the Littoriali, designed by Fagnoni, Ortensi and Bianchini; it later became the Stadio Comunale, then in 2006 the Stadio Olimpico, and since 2016 bears its current name.[6] Sources date its construction to either 1929-1933 or 1932-1933.[6][4]
The markets
The Santa Rita-Sebastopoli market, on Corso Sebastopoli between Corso Agnelli and Corso Orbassano, was established in 1946, covers about five blocks and is among the largest in Turin.[3] The Via Baltimora market, documented since 1959, is a linear market with two rows known as the «mercatino della qualità» (quality market).[7]
Related articles: Inalpi Arena, Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, Torino Football Club
Pages linking here
- 15th Edition of Bike Pride in Turin (September 2026)
- Districts of Turin
- Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino
- Torino Football Club