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The shroud of Turin

The shroud of Turin is probably the most controversial piece of fabric in the world. One version claims that after Jesus died on the cross, his castigated body was wrapped in this shroud. Scientists do agree that this is not the original cloth; however, the story behind the shroud continues to be remarkable and thought-provoking. In the Museo della Sindone, the shroud is presented as a fascinating mystery.

Arts & Culture

The 'real’ shroud is kept at the Dom

A valuable forgery

Carbon dating confirms that the shroud is between 6 and 7 centuries old. A respectable age, but it doesn’t match the time of Christ’s death. Thanks to technological progress, researchers are able to indicate the origin of the cloth more accurately than ever. The discussion around the shroud first flared up at the end of the 19th century, when more precise photography techniques were introduced. The shroud appeared to show the imprint of a man with injuries consistent with what we know about crucifixions. It is still not clear how the imprint was created.

Wild theories

One of the most fascinating explanations for the imprint on the canvas is that Leonardo da Vinci created it. The 15th-century genius would have used a camera obscura and silver phosphate to produce a negative, using himself as a model. According to another theory, the canvas was not the shroud of Jesus but that of Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. He also met with a miserable death, at a time that was consistent with the carbon dating. Both theories remain nothing but speculation.

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Culinary

Arts & Culture

Culinary

Make an autumn city trip to Turin even more memorable with a visit to the hilly region of Piemonte, Italy’s truffle region. Black truffles can be found almost year round, but from September through November this beautiful region is famous for its aromatic white truffles. Piemonte marks this time of year with truffle markets, truffle hunts, and of course truffle dishes.

Arts & Culture

Turin is probably not a city you would directly associate with film, but a visit to the Mole Antonelliana will most likely change your mind. This building, which dominates the city skyline with its high spire, houses one of the best film museums in the world: the Museo Nazionale del Cinema.