The Pietro Micca Museum: an epic journey into the siege of Turin of 1706

In Turin, in the very heart of what was once the capital of the Duchy of Savoy, lies a place where history is not merely told but almost tangible: the Pietro Micca Museum and the Siege of Turin of 1706. Crossing the threshold of this extraordinary museum means embarking on an emotional journey, transforming from simple visitors into silent witnesses of a drama that profoundly shaped the city’s identity.

Among relics and atmosphere: the exhibition halls

From the very first step inside, the museum envelops visitors in a deeply evocative atmosphere. One ceases to be a mere observer and becomes part of a living historical fresco. The objects on display — dark, timeworn muskets, swords that still seem to echo the clash of battle, and imposing cannons — tell stories of courage and despair. The uniforms, frayed and marked by time, still seem to recount the toil and sacrifices of the men who, during those turbulent days, defended their land and liberty with unyielding spirit. Every artifact, meticulously preserved, serves as a window into a crucial past — a tangible fragment of an epic tale of resistance.

However, the true essence and most poignant soul of the Pietro Micca Museum does not reside solely in its precious and rich exhibition rooms. Its beating heart lies in a far more intimate and evocative place: the underground galleries. This dark labyrinth, carved into the subsoil of Turin, was the stage for the fiercest and most decisive clashes of the siege. It is here, in the bowels of the earth, that the true intensity of sacrifice can be felt.

A mystical underground experience: the war of mines

Descending into the galleries is an experience that transcends a simple visit. The air becomes cooler and denser, humidity wraps around the senses, and the noise of the bustling city above vanishes, replaced by a heavy, palpable silence, broken only by the muffled echo of footsteps. It is easy to imagine the soldiers and miners who once toiled tirelessly in these same tunnels, digging winding passages with immense effort to place the mines that would repel the French invaders. Every curve, every narrow corridor, seems to whisper their stories — their exhaustion, their determination.

In this darkness unfolded the so-called “wars of mines”: ferocious underground confrontations where strategic ingenuity intertwined with the desperation of survival. Listening carefully, one can almost perceive the labored breathing of the diggers, the dull thud of falling earth at each pickaxe strike, and the tense anticipation of an imminent explosion that could end everything. This descent into darkness becomes a meditation on human resilience — on humankind’s capacity to adapt and fight in the harshest of conditions.

The sacrifice of a hero: Pietro Micca

At the emotional core of this journey through time stands the very spot where Pietro Micca, the quintessential Turinese hero, performed his ultimate act. Facing the threat of an imminent breach, the soldier sacrificed his own life to save the city, transforming from a mere soldier into an eternal legend. His deed was not just a gesture of individual bravery but a powerful symbol of dedication and patriotism.

A lesson for the present: courage and resilience

The Pietro Micca Museum is not merely a place of historical memory or a collection of relics from the past — it is a living warning, a moving tribute to the unbreakable courage and steadfast resolve of those who, in dire times, defended their freedom with every fiber of their being. Walking through its galleries, one no longer feels like a passive spectator but rather an integral part of that story, sensing the adrenaline of battle, the fear of darkness and the enemy, yet also the pure heroism of a bygone era.

Address: Via Francesco Guicciardini, 7/A – 10121 Turin

Opening Hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00 (last entry at 17:00)
• Closed on January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, December 24, 25 and 31

Guided Tours:

Visits to the underground galleries are guided and included in the ticket price.

• Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30, 14:30, 16:30
• Sundays and holidays: 10:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30
• Booking is recommended.

Tickets:

• Full price: €5.00
• Reduced: €3.00 (for ages 10–18, over 65, university students up to 26 years, groups of at least 15 people)
• Free: under 10, journalists, tour guides, accompanying teachers, Museum Pass holders, Torino+Piemonte Card, school groups
• Free entry on the first Friday of each month from 14:00

Accessibility: The museum offers dedicated tours and guided visits for visitors with limited mobility.

Contacts:

• Phone: +39 011 0116 7580
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.museopietromicca.it

Cover photo credits: official museum website