Piemonte Italia

Murazzi

Concentration, synchronism, balance, lightness and speed. Canoeing is the harmony of the body blending with the water’s current. In Torino, notwithstanding the climate, people go rowing. And it is on the Po in 1863 that the first Canottieri Cerea club opened. This is also the founder of the Rowing Club – now the Federazione Italiana Caonottaggio (Italian Canoeing Federation) – which launched the first “Code of the Regattas”. An historic sporting club, the Cerea “stole” the greeting exchanged by boatmen in Torino whenever they would meet along the river. As chauvinistic today as in the old days, the club still does not accept women. Another piece of the history of canoeing in Torino is the Esperia . Designed by Enrico Bonicelli and inaugurated by King Umberto I (Italy’s first oarsman), this aristocratic, exclusive club overlooks the river and is isolated from the noises of the city. Armida also appears upon the athletic-river scene. Its athletes have gained 62 titles as champions of Italy during its 140-year history, participating in the Berlin and Rome Olympics. In 1988 the Armida team rowed its way to London by way of the Po and Ticino rivers, the Lago Maggiore lake and (after the reansfer to Basel, Switzerland) the Rhine river as well. In the shade of sycamore trees that have stood for centuries along the corso Moncalieri we find the Circolo Canottieri Eridano (canoeing club), at one time the summer headquarters of the Circolo degli Artisti (artist club). This place was traditionally known as an eccentric one, frequented by artists and musicians, famous for its exotic theme parties that brought Chinese, African and Japanese atmospheres to the Po. The Po is navigable in Torino with small boats – Canadian canoes, kayaks, yoles, boats with pointed tips, rowboats, small motorboats – that can be rented at one of the many clubs such as Amici del Fiume, Amici del Remo, Cus Torino.
But the river not only offers its water, it is also a place that polarizes the athletic activities of Torino natives. People go running in the mornings or during weekends along its banks, to get some oxygen under the ancient trees standing in the Parco del Valentino. Nowadays, it is imperative to know the difference between joggers – who just want to stay in shape – and runners who are training for some local or intercontinental marathon, fighting against the merciless ticking of time of the chronometer. Some people bring children to play here, or to walk their dog. Some just like to walk hand in hand. The city’s largest park, the Parco del Valentino stretches out along the river. If one lays down in the grass, it’s like being in Hyde Park. Bicycle fans can pedal along the 20 kilometre route skirting the river from the Parco delle Vallere There are many “imbarchino”, places on the riverbank with pleasant terraces and those with special areas outdoors where athletes can enjoy refreshments; at aperitif time, a ritual in this city, experiencing one of the many cafès overlooking the Po is a “must”. The night, however, belongs to the Murazzi where there are places in which to dance, eat, listen to music, have a drink and (in summer) and enjoy the cooling effect of the water. Torino night life never sleeps in these cult haunts for the young and old in the time honoured arcades.