La Crocetta is one of Turin’s most refined residential quarters — defined less by landmarks than by architecture, scale and continuity. Located just south-west of the historic centre, it links naturally with Cit Turin and La Cittadella and suits visitors who enjoy walking and reading the city through its urban fabric.
Early 20th-century residential apartment block in La Crocetta, illustrating the district’s planned scale and wide avenues.
From parade ground to residential quarter
Until the second half of the 19th century, this area lay beyond the consolidated city, separated from central Turin by the vast Piazza d’Armi, used as a military parade ground. As the city expanded southwards, the former military land offered an opportunity for planned residential growth, combining proximity to the centre with wider streets and lower density.
Origins and the name “Crocetta”
The name Crocetta (“little cross”) is traditionally linked to the Trinitarian Fathers, connected to the parish of the Beata Vergine delle Grazie in the 17th century. Their emblem — a small hooked cross in red and blue on a white field — gave the area its name long before it became an urban district.
Early 20th-century growth and Liberty architecture
La Crocetta took on its present character in the early 20th century. After the dismantling of the Piazza d’Armi in 1909 and the temporary use of the area for the 1911 International Exhibition, the district was redeveloped for residential use. Between the early 1900s and the inter-war years, architects introduced Liberty (Art Nouveau), eclectic and neo-Gothic elements, expressed through iron balconies, decorative stonework, stained glass and carefully designed entrances.
Early 20th-century residential apartment block in La Crocetta, illustrating the district’s planned scale and wide avenues.
Walking La Crocetta: streets, scale and façades
The district is best appreciated on foot. Interest lies in the consistency of height and proportion, broad pavements, tree-lined avenues and recurring architectural details rather than in individual monuments. It is a readable example of early 20th-century residential planning.
Casa Crescent (Casa a Crescent), Liberty-style residential building designed by Genesio Vivarelli in 1911, located on Via Caboto 4, La Crocetta, Turin.
Residential street in La Crocetta, characterised by early 20th-century apartment buildings and low-traffic urban layout.
A practical pause: the Crocetta Market
On weekdays, the Crocetta Market along Corso De Gasperi provides the area’s most active moment. It is best known for clothing, accessories and everyday shopping rather than for food, and works well as a brief stop while walking through the neighbourhood.
Crocetta Market along Corso De Gasperi, with the church of San Secondo Martire visible in the background, La Crocetta, Turin.
Residential life and weekend quiet
La Crocetta remains a strongly residential and commercial district, with limited activity at weekends. During the week, the presence of offices, local shops and students brings a steady rhythm, while evenings and holidays are notably calm.
The Politecnico and the post-war layer
After the Second World War, the former stadium area was redeveloped and the new headquarters of the Politecnico di Torino opened in 1958. The university adds an academic presence to the district without altering its residential balance.
How La Crocetta fits into a wider visit
La Crocetta is best approached as part of a broader walk rather than as a destination in itself. Its proximity to the centre and its natural links to Cit Turin and La Cittadella make it a logical extension for visitors interested in Turin’s urban development and early 20th-century residential architecture.
Early 20th-century corner apartment building in La Crocetta, showing the district’s continuous residential fabric and articulated façades.
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