Tempio Valdese

National historic monument

Address:

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 23 -
10125 - Centre
Turin

Nearest Bus or Train:

For Turin use 1/X1 line

Open Hours:

8:30a-10p M-Su

The Valdese Temple of Turin was built between 29 October 1851 and 15 December 1853, (the day of its inauguration). General Carlo Beckwith was a great supporter, and financial backer of the temple, both in the buying of land for it and its construction. He was born in Halifax in Northern America in 1789, and was a brilliant officer in the British army. He became dedicated to philosophy and theology after his leg was amputated from wounds received during battle. General Beckwith went on to promote the building of schools. He died in Torre Pellice on 19 July 1862, far from homeland, but amongst people he had helped and loved. The Temple was built with international financial support, including help from the English, as there was already a committee to aid the Valdesi population in London. Beckwith himself said this building will be the place of worship not of Waldenses only, but of all the Protestants there, natives of Turin and strangers, who shall say, we will go into the house of the lord. The Valdese Temple in Turin was the first temple outside of Valli. Inside, Byzantine and Gothic style merge in a harmonious combination. The temple is more than 38 metres in length and 17 metres wide. At the northern end, there is a vestibule, through which, by means of three doors, a large central one and two small ones on either side, one enters into the temple itself. This has three naves, with two, long lateral ones and a central nave. The central nave is 12 metres long and 14 metres high and is covered by a double series of beautiful, Roman arches, seven on each side, which are supported by 16 columns that finish in a graceful apse. There are thirty five windows, seven of which are in the apse and illuminate the inside of the temple. There are two small towers on either side of the facade which looks out onto Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. The temple can hold up to 1,500 people and has been declared a national monument. There are services on Sundays, one of which is in English.

Back