Turin is a city of grand public squares, and the Piazza Statuto—one of the last neoclassical piazzas to be constructed in the city—is a notable example of the style. With its elegant buildings, its statue and accompanying fountain, and its petite garden, the square offers a pretty haven for those after a quick sightseeing break. That said, the Piazza Statuto also stands on land that was used in ancient Roman times for public executions and burial grounds, and for some locals and visitors it still holds enduring, spooky associations.
The Piazza Statuto can be visited independently, though it is also included on walking tour itineraries—particularly after-dark tours that have a paranormal focus.
The Piazza Statuto is one of Turin’s four cardinal piazzas, including the northern Piazza della Repubblica, eastern Piazza Vittorio Veneto, and southern Piazza Carlo Felice.
The Fréjus Rail Tunnel Monument, dedicated in 1879, is made with stones that were excavated during construction and is crowned with a winged genie sculpture.
The square is lined with numerous cafés, shops, and restaurants, making it a good place to indulge in an espresso break accompanied by some people watching.
Poised at the city’s western edge, the Piazza Statuto can easily be accessed by numerous forms of transportation. Take the M1 Metro to XVIII Dicembre Station. The square is also served by tram 13 as well as bus lines 10N, 13N, 26, 46, 49, 56, 60, 71, 72, 91, 94, 101, N10, and W01. It can additionally be reached on foot, by bike, or by taxi.
The Piazza Statuto can be visited both day and night, though—given its ample associations with magic and the occult—it is best visited after dark, preferably on a macabre, ghost-themed tour.
According to various myths and tales, the Piazza Statuto is associated with dark forces. Some believe that the manhole near the Fréjus Rail Tunnel Monument is actually a portal to the underworld, while others point to the square’s obelisk as a symbol of the occult.