The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was in Turin when he wrote his famous essay Ecce Homo. At the time, he lived in Via Carlo Alberto 6, under the arcades in a small apartment whose rent at the time was just 30 lire a month.
The writer, fascinated by the capital of Savoy, affirmed: "What a dignified, severe city, wonderful clarity, autumn colours, an exquisite sense of well-being that is common to all things".
Of the Piedmonts’ capital he loved the streamlined and elegant arcades, the mirrors often reflecting his image, the tapestries and the decorations of the old cafes.
It is known that sometimes artistic vein can degenerate into madness. It is said that on January 3, 1889, leaving his house, he saw a coachman in Piazza San Carlo who was whipping his horse. Moved by anger, he shouted: "You, inhuman slaughterer of this steed!", then embraced and kissed the horse.
