The Duomo di San Giovanni Battista is Turin’s cathedral and the only major Renaissance church in a city better known for its baroque. Built at the end of the fifteenth century in pale stone, with a separate bell tower beside it, it stands just off Piazza Castello next to the Royal Palace, with the Roman Palatine Gate and its ancient theatre ruins a short walk away. The cathedral is world famous as the home of the Holy Shroud, the linen cloth bearing the faint image of a man that many believe wrapped the body of Christ. The Shroud itself is kept in a sealed, inert-gas case in a chapel in the left transept and is shown to the public only at rare expositions, the last major one in 2015. Above the altar end rises the Guarini Chapel of the Shroud, the spectacular baroque dome built to house the relic, which is reached through the Royal Palace museum route.
How it works: the cathedral is a working church and entry is free. Visits pause during services, and shoulders and knees should be covered. Do not expect to see the Shroud itself: it is not on regular display, and there is no announced public exposition for 2026. The visit is still worthwhile for the building, its setting beside the Royal Palace and the chance to stand near one of the most famous relics in Christianity.
What you see: the interior is calm and harmonious, with side chapels holding paintings and carved altars, and a grand organ. Look up towards the back of the church to glimpse the restored Guarini chapel, damaged in the 1997 fire and reopened after a long restoration. To see the chapel properly, from inside, use the Musei Reali ticket of the Royal Palace next door. The Museum of the Shroud, run separately in another part of the centre, covers the science and history of the cloth in more depth.
Making the most of it: combine the cathedral with the Royal Palace, the Palatine Gate and the Porta Palazzo market, all within a few minutes on foot. The Quadrilatero Romano district behind the cathedral is full of small restaurants for lunch.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided visit to a working Renaissance cathedral with an area dedicated to the Shroud, which itself is not on display.
Best time
Mid-morning or mid-afternoon on a weekday, outside the times of Mass.
How long
Thirty to forty-five minutes.
Tips
Cover shoulders and knees, keep quiet during services and use the Royal Palace ticket to see the Guarini chapel from inside.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Pilgrims, first-time visitors and anyone curious about the story of the Shroud.
- Families
- A short visit works for children, especially combined with the Roman gate and the market nearby.
- Couples
- A quiet, reflective stop between the Royal Palace and lunch in the Quadrilatero Romano.
- Pair with
- The Royal Palace and its Shroud chapel, and the Porta Palazzo market.
- Time needed
- About half an hour.
Good questions
Can you see the Shroud of Turin in the cathedral?+
Not normally. The Shroud is kept in a sealed protective case and shown to the public only at rare expositions, the last major one in 2015.
Is Turin Cathedral free to enter?+
Yes, entry is free. Visits pause during services, and modest dress is expected.
What is the Guarini Chapel of the Shroud?+
It is the baroque chapel with a dramatic stacked dome designed by Guarino Guarini to house the Shroud. It is visited from inside on the Musei Reali route of the Royal Palace.
Where is the Shroud kept?+
It is kept in Turin Cathedral, in a chapel in the left transept. It lies flat in a case filled with inert gas.
Is there a Shroud museum in Turin?+
Yes, the Museum of the Shroud is a separate museum in the centre. It covers the history and scientific studies of the cloth.