Glossary

Glossary of Turin and Piedmont

Local words that have no exact English match, explained in one sentence: what a comune or a sagra is, what Turin drinks under the name bicerin. In our articles, the first mention of each term links here.

202 terms

'Liberi Subito'
a popular bill on assisted suicide promoted by the Associazione Luca Coscioni.
0-6 Children's Centre (Polo dell'Infanzia)Polo dell'Infanzia 0-6
a facility combining a nursery and a preschool for children from birth to age six.
118
Italy's medical emergency number and ambulance dispatch service.
118 (emergency medical service)118 Azienda Zero
Piedmont's regional operator for the 112/118 medical emergency dispatch service.
41-bis41 bis
a special Italian prison regime with strict isolation, applied mainly to organised-crime bosses.
Agenas
Italy's National Agency for Regional Healthcare Services, which tracks public hospital waiting times.
AIB forest-fire volunteersvolontari Aib
Volunteer corps dedicated to preventing and fighting wildfires (Antincendio Boschivo).
Alfieri del Lavoro
an annual honour the Italian President gives to the country's top vocational-school graduates (literally "Work's Standard-Bearers").
Alice nella Città
A section of the Rome Film Fest dedicated to youth-oriented and coming-of-age cinema.
Ambrogino d'oro
The City of Milan's civic honour, awarded for merit to residents or institutions.
Amiat
Turin's municipal waste-collection company
Anas
Italy's state-owned company that builds and manages the national roads and motorway network.
ANFAA
Italian national association of adoptive and foster families, founded to support foster care and adoption.
Anpas
Italian national association of public assistance volunteer organisations providing emergency and social services.
anti-establishment activistsantagonisti
an Italian term for radical-left protest groups loosely grouped under this label.
Anti-Mafia CodeCodice antimafia
Italian law allowing courts to confiscate assets from people suspected of organised crime or of concealing ill-gotten wealth, even without a criminal conviction.
Arpa
Arpa is Piedmont's regional agency for environmental protection, responsible for monitoring pollution and environmental quality.
Arpa Piemonte (regional environmental protection agency)
Arpa Piemonte is Piedmont's regional agency responsible for monitoring air quality, pollution levels and other environmental data.
Artissima
Turin's international contemporary art fair.
Askatasuna
a self-managed social centre in Turin
ASL (local health authority)
the local branch of Italy's national health service: hospitals, clinics and vaccinations in its area
ASL TO3
the local health authority covering the western part of the Province of Turin.
Atc
the public agency that manages social housing in the Piedmont region.
Azienda Zero (regional emergency medical agency)
Azienda Zero is the Piedmont regional agency responsible for coordinating emergency medical services, including the region's air ambulance helicopters.
baby gang
Italian media term for loosely organised groups of minors involved in petty violence, intimidation or vandalism.
baton chargescariche di alleggerimento
a riot-control technique in which police push back a crowd with short, limited charges rather than full confrontation.
baton twirling
a sport of acrobatic routines with a baton, set to music, solo or in teams
bealera (irrigation ditch)
traditional irrigation ditch found alongside roads and fields in the Piedmont countryside
bicerin (Turin drink)
a hot drink of coffee, chocolate and cream in layers, served in a small glass; invented in Turin in the 18th century
Bonelli
Sergio Bonelli Editore, the Italian comic book publisher best known for series such as Dylan Dog and Tex.
bonus sociale (social bonus)
A reduced electricity rate for low-income Italian households, introduced by the Italian government.
borgo (old quarter or village)
an old town quarter or a small village; in Turin the name of several historic districts (Borgo Dora, Borgo Po)
CAF Patronato (tax and welfare assistance centre)
A CAF Patronato is an Italian walk-in office that helps citizens with tax returns, pensions and other welfare paperwork.
Campagna amica
Network of farmers' markets set up by Coldiretti where local producers sell their goods directly to the public.
Carabinieri
Italy's gendarmerie: a military police force that also does ordinary police work
carnet
A discounted booklet of several tickets sold together.
Casa del Popolo
literally "House of the People": a historic community building, often repurposed today for public services.
cascina (Piedmontese farmstead)
a traditional Piedmontese farmstead: house, stables and barns around a shared courtyard
Cassa Depositi e Prestiti
Italy's state-owned investment and development bank.
cassa integrazione
A state-funded scheme under which workers' wages are paid by social security when a company temporarily cuts or halts production.
Castiglia
A former marquisate castle in Saluzzo, now used as a museum and exhibition space.
Cavallerizza Reale
A historic royal riding school building in central Turin, now used as a cultural and event venue.
Cecco Angiolieri
A 13th-century Italian poet from Siena, known for his satirical sonnets.
Cellula Coscioni
the Turin branch of the Associazione Luca Coscioni, which campaigns for end-of-life rights.
chestnut festival (castagnata)
A castagnata is a traditional Italian autumn gathering centred on roasting and eating chestnuts, often held as a parish or community fundraiser.
chief of police (Questore)
the senior State Police officer in charge of a province's Questura.
Circolo Arci
A local recreational and cultural club affiliated with Arci, a national Italian association that organises social, cultural and political events.
city executive (Giunta)Giunta comunale
the mayor's cabinet: the councillors (assessori) who run the city's departments
Civil ProtectionProtezione Civile
the service for natural disasters and emergencies: national, regional and in every municipality
co-planning conference (Conferenza di copianificazione)
a joint meeting of regional, metropolitan and heritage authorities to approve a municipal zoning plan together.
Coldiretti
Italy's largest farmers' association
collegecollegio
In this context, a boarding school for secondary or university students.
Community HouseCasa di Comunità
A local public facility bringing together basic outpatient and preventive health-care services, part of Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
complex structure (hospital department)struttura complessa
In the Italian health system, a 'struttura complessa' is a full hospital department with its own director, as distinct from a smaller 'struttura semplice' unit.
Continassa
The Juventus Football Club training ground and headquarters on the outskirts of Turin.
Coppino LawLegge Coppino
1877 Italian law that made the first two years of primary education compulsory, named after education minister Michele Coppino.
Court of AuditorsCorte dei conti
The Italian judicial body that oversees public spending and rules on cases of financial damage caused to public administrations.
court-appointed technical consultancy (CTU)consulenza tecnica d'ufficio
An expert report commissioned by a court to assess technical matters relevant to a case.
credit guarantee consortia (confidi)
Mutual guarantee organisations set up by groups of businesses to help members obtain bank credit by sharing the risk of loan default.
Croce Reale di Venaria
A volunteer association providing ambulance and first-aid services in the town of Venaria Reale.
Croce Verde
A volunteer ambulance and first-aid association active in many Piedmontese towns.
cross-city rail link (passante)passante ferroviario
the underground railway tunnel that links Turin's main stations
CSI Piemonte
The in-house IT company of the Piedmont Region and its municipalities.
Cto hospitalospedale Cto
Turin's orthopaedic and trauma hospital (Centro Traumatologico Ortopedico).
Daspo
a police banning order prohibiting a person from attending sporting events.
David di Donatello
Italy's main national film award, roughly the Italian equivalent of the Oscars.
DDA
District Anti-Mafia Directorate, the prosecutor's office handling organised-crime cases.
Democratic Party (Pd)
Italy's centre-left Partito Democratico.
Digos
The Italian police division responsible for political and anti-terrorism investigations.
district (Circoscrizione)
one of Turin's eight districts, each with its own council and president
District Prison (Casa Circondariale)
an Italian prison mainly holding people awaiting trial or serving short sentences.
DOC (controlled designation of origin)
an Italian wine category: grape varieties, area and production rules are fixed by law
DOCG (controlled and guaranteed designation of origin)
the top category of Italian wines: stricter rules than DOC, and every batch is tasted and certified
Drago
the call sign of the regional emergency medical helicopter service.
employment centreCentro per l'impiego
A public employment centre run by the Piedmont Region that helps jobseekers find work and access benefits.
entailed estate (maggiorasco)
A historical inheritance arrangement under which a noble family's estate passed undivided to a single heir, usually the firstborn.
EPSU
the European Public Service Union, a European trade union federation.
ergastolo ostativo (non-parolable life sentence)
Ergastolo ostativo is a form of Italian life imprisonment that, for certain serious crimes, bars prisoners from the usual benefits and early release unless they cooperate with justice.
Fabi
Fabi (Federazione Autonoma Bancari Italiani) is an Italian trade union representing employees of the banking sector.
fast-track trial (rito direttissimo)
an expedited trial procedure used for cases of arrest in flagrante.
Filatoio di Caraglio
A historic silk-throwing mill in Caraglio, now used as an exhibition venue.
final acceptance (collaudo)
The official technical inspection and sign-off confirming that completed public works comply with the approved project.
FIP
the International Padel Federation, the sport's international governing body.
flood relief channel (scolmatore)
A man-made channel built to divert excess flood water away from a watercourse and reduce the risk of flooding downstream.
flying squadsquadra mobile
the plainclothes criminal investigation unit of the Italian police.
Fondazione CRC
A banking foundation that funds social and cultural projects in the province of Cuneo.
former Balangero Asbestos Mineex Amiantifera di Balangero
A former open-pit asbestos mine near Balangero, once among the largest in Europe, now undergoing environmental remediation and redevelopment.
former Ilvaex Ilva
the former Ilva steelworks group, at the centre of a long-running Italian industrial crisis.
former Manifattura di Cuorgnèex Manifattura di Cuorgnè
A disused textile mill in Cuorgnè, now converted into an exhibition and event venue.
foster careaffidamento familiare
placement of a child with a family other than their own, as provided under Italian social-welfare law
FP CGIL
the public-sector branch of the CGIL trade union confederation.
Fratelli d'Italia
Italian right-wing political party
Gallerie d'Italia
A museum network run by the Intesa Sanpaolo bank, with a venue in piazza San Carlo in Turin.
GAM
Turin's Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, the city's museum of modern and contemporary art.
General Zoning Plan (Piano Regolatore Generale)
Turin's master zoning plan, setting land use and building rules for the whole municipal area.
giandujotto (chocolate)
Turin's chocolate made of cocoa and ground hazelnuts, shaped like an upturned boat
gipgip (giudice per le indagini preliminari)
The preliminary investigations judge who authorises precautionary measures during an Italian criminal investigation.
Giudice Sportivo
The disciplinary body of Italian football that reviews incidents and imposes sanctions after each round of matches.
granata
Nickname for Torino FC and its fans, after the team's maroon colour.
Grande Torino
The legendary Torino FC team of the late 1940s, nearly all of whose players died in the 1949 Superga air disaster.
green codecodice verde
the lowest-urgency triage category used in Italian emergency care, for non-life-threatening injuries.
Gruppo Operativo Mobile (GOM)
The Gruppo Operativo Mobile is a specialised unit of Italy's prison police responsible for managing high-security prisoners and sensitive transfers.
Guardia di Finanza (financial police)
Italy's financial police, under the Ministry of Economy: taxes, smuggling, financial crime
hamlet (frazione)
a small settlement without its own administration, part of a larger municipality
IBTF
the International Baton Twirling Federation, the sport's international governing body.
IC (Istituto Comprensivo)
An Italian school institute that combines primary and lower-secondary grades under a single administration.
IGP (Protected Geographical Indication, PGI)
an EU label for a product tied to a place: at least one stage of production takes place in the named area
IIS
Istituto di Istruzione Superiore, an Italian state secondary school combining several study tracks.
IML technologyIML (In-Mould Labelling)
A manufacturing process that fuses the label into the plastic during moulding, producing a mono-material, recyclable container.
International Festival of EconomicsFestival Internazionale dell'Economia
An annual public festival held in Turin featuring lectures, debates and events on economics, often involving Nobel laureates.
Intesa Sanpaolo Towergrattacielo Intesa Sanpaolo
A skyscraper in Turin designed by Renzo Piano, serving as offices for the Intesa Sanpaolo banking group and a venue for events.
Invincibili (the Invincibles)
The nickname of the Grande Torino players, undefeated champions of Italian football in the 1940s.
ISEE
Italy's means-tested indicator of household economic situation, used to assess eligibility for subsidies.
Italian Space Agency (ASI)
the Italian Space Agency, Italy's national space agency.
LCIF (Lions Clubs International Foundation)
The charitable foundation of Lions Clubs International, funding humanitarian and relief projects worldwide.
Lions District 108 Ia1Distretto Lions 108 Ia1
The Lions Clubs administrative district covering Turin and its province.
Lorusso e Cutugno prison (Casa circondariale)Casa circondariale Lorusso e Cutugno
Turin's main prison, located in the Vallette district.
lose
Traditional grey stone paving slabs (typically Luserna stone) used on historic streets and pavements in Turin and Piedmont.
lyceum (liceo)
an Italian upper secondary school focused on academic rather than vocational subjects.
majorettes
uniformed performers who march with a baton in front of a band in parades
marmotta
technique for breaching a cash machine by filling it with gas or explosive before detonation; literally "groundhog"
marquee (palatenda)
A palatenda is a large tent or marquee set up for public events such as fairs, markets or community meals.
Metropolitan City of TurinCittà metropolitana di Torino
the administrative area that replaced the Province of Turin in 2015: 312 municipalities around Turin, with its own council; the mayor of Turin is its mayor ex officio
Molinette hospital
Turin's main general hospital, part of the Città della Salute hospital complex.
mountain union (Unione montana)
a union of mountain municipalities that run shared services together: roads, tourism, land protection
Movember
International men's health awareness movement, held every November, that raises funds and attention for prostate and testicular cancer and mental health.
movida (nightlife scene)
Movida refers to the lively evening and night-time scene of bars, restaurants and street gatherings in a town or neighbourhood, especially at weekends.
municipal market hall (ala comunale)
An ala comunale is a covered public arcade or hall attached to a town hall, often used to host market stalls during local events.
municipal policePolizia Locale (Municipale)
the municipality's own police: traffic, trading rules and order on the streets; it answers to the mayor
municipality (comune)
the smallest administrative unit in Italy — a town or village with its own mayor and council; Italy has almost 8,000
Museo del Risparmio
A museum in Turin dedicated to the history and principles of saving and financial education.
NAS
the Carabinieri's health and food safety inspectorate
National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV)Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Italy's national research institute that monitors earthquakes and volcanic activity.
neighbourhood committee (Comitato di Quartiere)
A citizens' body set up in Turin neighbourhoods in the 1970s, forerunner of today's district councils.
neighbourhood council (Consiglio di Quartiere)
The 1978 body that preceded today's elected district councils (Consigli di Circoscrizione) in Turin.
No Tav
grassroots movement opposing the Turin–Lyon high-speed rail line through the Susa Valley.
obligation to report periodically to the policeobbligo di firma
A non-custodial measure requiring the person to sign in regularly at a police station while proceedings continue.
old customs post (Dogana)
A former border customs checkpoint building, now used only as a place name along the road.
OmbudsmanDifensore civico
A regional official who safeguards citizens' rights and monitors the fairness and transparency of public administration.
Ombudsperson for DetaineesGarante dei detenuti
A regional official who monitors prison conditions and safeguards the rights of people deprived of liberty.
Osapp
Italian trade union representing prison officers
osteoid osteomaosteoma osteoide
A small, benign bone tumour that typically causes localized pain, most often treated by surgical removal.
out-of-hours medical service (guardia medica)
local doctors on call for non-emergency care outside regular surgery hours.
PalaMirafiori
An indoor sports arena in the Mirafiori district of Turin.
palio (historic contest)
an old contest between town quarters or villages — a horse race, foot race or regatta — with a costume parade
Parcheggio Lancia (Lancia car park)
A car park in Turin built within the former Lancia car factory complex.
Parco Dora (Dora Park)
A public park in Turin along the Dora Riparia river, built on the site of former industrial plants.
parish youth centre (oratorio)oratorio (salesiano)
a parish club for children and teenagers with games, sport and classes; in Turin it was invented by John Bosco
PEC (certified email)
an Italian legally certified email system used for official communications with public bodies.
Piano Stralcio
A partial, interim allocation within Italy's multi-year hydraulic-risk mitigation funding programme.
Pic4Ser
an interdepartmental centre of the Politecnico di Torino working on drone and sensor technologies.
pink cocainecocaina rosa
A synthetic drug mixture, often containing MDMA or ketamine, sold as a pink powder.
plate load testsprove di piastra
Field tests used to measure the bearing capacity and compaction of soil beneath a structure's foundation.
Pnrr
Italy's EU-funded National Recovery and Resilience Plan, adopted after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pnrr Gol
Gol (Garanzia di Occupabilità dei Lavoratori) is an Italian active-labour-market programme funded by the national recovery plan (Pnrr), providing jobseekers with retraining and job-search support.
podestà (appointed mayor, 1926–1945)
the head of a municipality appointed by the Fascist government in place of an elected mayor
police headquarters (Questura)
the State Police headquarters of a province, headed by the Questore
police station (commissariato)
A local police station of the Polizia di Stato, responsible for a city district.
PrefecturePrefettura
the local office of the Italian government: public order, elections, emergency measures
Princes’ Apartments (Appartamenti dei Principi)
A suite of rooms inside Palazzo Carignano historically used by princes of the House of Savoy.
Pro Loco (local tourist association)
a volunteer association of an Italian municipality that organises local festivals and fairs and welcomes visitors
Province of TurinProvincia di Torino
the former administrative area around Turin, replaced by the Metropolitan City in 2015
public prosecutor's office (Procura)Procura della Repubblica
the office of public prosecutors attached to a court; it directs criminal investigations
public prosecutor's office at the Court of AuditorsProcura contabile
The prosecuting body that brings cases before the Court of Auditors to seek compensation for damage to public funds.
Radicali Italiani
an Italian liberal political party.
railway overpasscavalcaferrovia
a road bridge that crosses over a railway line
railway police (Polfer)
the State Police's railway police force.
Rfi
Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, the state company that manages Italy's rail infrastructure.
RLS
workers' safety representative, elected under Italian workplace-safety law.
Rome Film FestFesta del Cinema di Roma
An annual film festival held in Rome.
Ros
the Carabinieri's Special Operations Group, which investigates organised crime and terrorism.
Royal GardensGiardini Reali
the royal gardens behind the Royal Palace in central Turin.
RSA (care home)
residenza sanitaria assistenziale: a residential care facility providing health care to elderly people.
RUP
The official designated by a contracting authority to oversee and be responsible for a specific public works project.
Saga
The company responsible for managing Pescara's Abruzzo Airport.
Sagat
the company that manages Turin airport.
San Pietrini
The traditional cobblestones used to pave streets and squares in Turin.
scudetto
The emblem awarded to the winners of the Italian football league, used by extension for the Serie A title itself.
Sermig
A charitable and cultural centre in Turin, also known as the Arsenale della Pace, founded by a lay missionary movement.
Siae
the Italian society that collects copyright royalties for authors and publishers.
Sian
the local health authority's food and nutrition hygiene service.
Single Property FeeCanone Unico Patrimoniale
a single municipal fee combining several former local charges for occupying or using public land
Slow Food Presidium (Presidio Slow Food)
a Slow Food project that protects an endangered local product and its producers through production rules and help with sales
Smat
the company that manages the integrated water service in the Metropolitan City of Turin.
solidarity contractcontratto di solidarietà
An agreement that reduces employees' working hours and pay, with partial state compensation, in order to avoid layoffs.
Special Operations Unit (ROS)Reparto Operativo Speciale (ROS)
A specialised unit of Turin's Municipal Police handling more complex or sensitive operations.
Sprasal
the local health authority's workplace prevention and safety service.
State Police (Polizia di Stato)
Italy's national civil police force, one of the country's several law-enforcement bodies responsible for public security.
steering committee (Cabina di regia)
a joint coordination body set up by law between the City, the Region and the Metropolitan City.
Superintendency (Soprintendenza)
the Italian state authority responsible for protecting cultural heritage and historic buildings.
SuperLega
Italy's top-tier men's volleyball championship.
Terza Categoria
The lowest level of the Italian amateur football league system, organised at local/provincial level.
Turin Court (Tribunale)Tribunale di Torino
the ordinary court of first instance for a judicial district
Turin vermouth (Vermouth di Torino)
vermouth made in Piedmont under the Vermouth di Torino geographical indication
UNITA GEIE
European Economic Interest Grouping, UNITA's joint legal structure for governing the alliance.
United Front Work DepartmentDipartimento del Fronte Unito
A Chinese Communist Party body tasked with influence operations among overseas Chinese communities.
UPGSP
A State Police unit responsible for general prevention and public assistance patrols.
urban DaspoDaspo urbano
a police order banning a person from entering specific areas of a city for public-safety reasons.
VAL system
A driverless, automatically guided light-metro technology originally developed in France.
village food festival (sagra)
a town or village festival devoted to a local product or dish: market stalls, tasting, music
Waldensian valleysvalli valdesi
a group of Alpine valleys in the Province of Turin traditionally home to the Waldensian Protestant community.
Wellgranda call for proposalsbando Wellgranda
A grant programme of Fondazione CRC for welfare projects in the province of Cuneo.