Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista

Overview

The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is Turin's only Renaissance church, built between 1491 and 1498 by Meo del Caprina for Cardinal Della Rovere. It is famous worldwide as the custodian of the Holy Shroud (Sindone), believed by many to be Christ's burial cloth.

Highlights

• Holy Shroud Chapel: Guarini's mathematically complex dome (1694), a masterpiece of baroque engineering, currently under restoration.
• Renaissance facade: The only example of Renaissance architecture in Turin, with its clean white marble lines.
• Last Supper copy: A notable 16th-century copy of Leonardo's work in the cathedral's collection.

History

Built on the site of three earlier medieval churches demolished to make way for the new cathedral. The Shroud was brought to Turin by the Duke of Savoy in 1578. Guarini's Chapel of the Holy Shroud, added behind the apse in 1668–94, was severely damaged by fire in 1997 and has undergone decades of painstaking restoration.

Visitor Tips

• Shroud display: The Shroud itself is only displayed during rare public exhibitions (the last was in 2015). A full-scale photographic replica is always on view.
• Free entry: The cathedral is free to visit; modest dress required.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.