pietro micca museum

I thoroughly recommend a visit to this museum! The staff are very friendly and knowledgable. I really didn't know what to expect, but left with a much better understanding of the history of Torino. There are many exhibits in the museum, but our guide explained and introduced the exhibits in an order that made sense and was easy to understand. This really is a museum worth visiting.

We liked the museum a lot but had a guide who really couldn't speak English. He really tried but if I didn't speak Italian I don't think I would have understood most of what he was saying. Interesting museum though!

This was a stop on a tour we took and it was very interesting. Pietro Micca is the partiot who contibuted in a decisive way, blowing up gunpowder, to stop the French siege in 1706, and it is placed on an area which corresponds, approximatly, to the enemy attack front. Opened in 1961, it contains plastic models, prints and relics of the epoch. The underground itinerary of tunnels of mines illuminated by old lanterns is also very interesting and spectacular to visit. The mines are about 5'8" high so taller people will need to bend down. Parts of the mines were designed to be blown up - they were 40m projections filled partly with gunpowder then a fuse was laid to the main tunnel while the rest was packed with dirt (often done by children). The fuses were then lit once it was established that French troops were overhead. They often used prisoners condemned to death to light the fuse as this was a definite death sentence.

The underground tunnels, thr recreation & the fascinating retelling of the defense of the city and the knowledge of the guide (in English)

I only had a few hours to spare so I took in this museum based on some of the reviews on TripAdvisor. I'm glad I did. When I got there there were no other visitors so basically, I had a private tour with a detailed account and a close view of some genuine historical artifacts. My guide - also called Pietro, spoke good English and was superb. I would say you definitely need a guide. There's some stuff to see at the start - a bit about the context of the siege, the war of Spanish Succession and how Turin come to be involved. You can see some of the guns and cannons up close. The most fascinating part is the tunnels and the story that goes with then. Basically the French were attacking the citadel and the defending Savoy army countered by building very elaborate and robust tunnels underneath them then planting gunpowder under the French. At one point the French breached the defenses and Pietro Micca was the man that saved the day but not himself. You have to see this - its fascinating and so well preserved. It amazing to be in the tunnels and realise that you are right under the streets of modern Turin. The cost was an amazing 3 euro - a real bargain.

Most people visit the more famous sites in Torino. Do yourself a favour and don't leave the city without spending (2 hrs....yes and worth it) here!!!You can walk through the maze of underground tunnels as they once were!Take the children....they will thank you! Beats looking at another Egyptian vase anyday!

This small museum was firmly on our itinerary for our stay in Turin, we were not disappointed. If your Italian is not too good I suggest you contact them beforehand to book a tour with an English speaking guide. The museum displays are mainly in Italian but even without an English guide they are fascinating. The tunnels were built at the time of the war of the Spanish Succession and are a major feat of engineering. The best bit is going into the tunnels. You actually see where. Pietro Micca set the explosive charge to destroy the Franco-Spanish guns, so saving the city. The staff and guides are all volunteers and knowledgeable but not all speak English.

The guy who told our group about the history of this once very important part of Turin (now existing only underground, and one part of the gates along the road Pietro Micca) put everything about the city into context, from the Superga to the siege of Turin. The guided tour underground at the end is the best part! Tours are also available in English (at time of writing, on Tuesdays by appointment), and are very good. No fee, but donations are encouraged, and you'll be wanting to give a nice one.

What a cool place to visit. The history that tunnels have is just amazing!!! Highly recommended to visit if you are in Turin.

Perhaps this is one of the most overlooked sights in Turin. The extensive underground tunnels are an amazing work of ingenuity and a nice escape from ť summer heat of Turin. The story of the siege of Turin and the local hero Pietro Micca is very interesting and definitely worth the 3 € entrance fee. The staff is very friendly and keen to tell their amazing story. Don't miss this place!

The story of the siege of Turin is an interesting one, and at the museum you can see first-hand how it played out in the "galleries" or long sapper tunnels the defenders dug out underneath the walls to the besieging French forces.I visited it as part of the "Turin Underground" tour which also includes a number of other interesting sights, such as remnants of the original Roman city walls from the early days of settlement.

I did not know Turin had a network of war tunnels in the underground! The guides in the museum will take you to visit it! If you manage to find an English-speaking guide (not so difficult) it's a nice plus, but even without them the tour of the tunnels is breathtaking! Two thumbs up to the personnel who were incredibly available and friendly. I only paid 3 euros for the visit but in hindsight it's a shame I paid so little! Will definitely try and make a donation

I go to the Museum Pietro Micca in Turin on 26 Oct 2013. The staff tell me that parts of tunnels are closed due to the recent rainfall. I am a bit disappointed but still like to visit. I am a Chinese from Hong Kong and not able to speak Italian, I have always experienced being neglected in many other Italian museums. However, one of their staff, Ms Bianco Lorella, approaches me and takes me around. She explains everything I see in the museum and takes me to upper, lower halls and some parts of tunnels. Now I know the siege of Turin in 1706 and also feel the truly Italian hospitality I have ever met in Italy.

We visited this museum after reading other reviews. We have a little italian and risked going without pre booking. We were informed that the tour would be in italian, and we were happy with this. Part way through the tour, where we understood about half, we were pulled from the group and offered an english guide. He was amazing, going through the entire history of the siege on Turin, before taking us down into the tunnels. We were there for over 2 1/2 hours all for 3 euros each. What a great way to learn about european history. I would say if you only speak english then do book ahead if possible. It's well worth it, and you won't be disappointed.

An unexpected treat!! I was very lucky to get the tip, because travel guides hardly mention this hidden gem of a museum. Nowhere in the world does one get the chance to touch upon the very nature of Siege Warfare and history at large in such a fascinating and educating way. I booked a day in advance (absolutely necessary if you want guiding in English), and was lucky to have had the guiding of a wonderfully informed and kind gentleman by the name of Pietro Bajardi. He showed me around, explained everything in detail and answered all my questions. Not to be missed, and not only for history buffs. it is a unique and touching experience. Strongly recommended.