What happened at Superga on 4 May 1949?
Torino were returning from a friendly in Lisbon against Benfica, arranged for the farewell of Portugal's captain Francisco Ferreira. The Avio Linee Italiane Fiat G.212, stopping in Barcelona, was heading for Turin's Aeritalia airport; in thick fog it struck the rear wall of the Superga complex. Eighteen players died, along with the club's directors and staff, the four crew members and three journalists: Renato Casalbore, founder of Tuttosport, Renato Tosatti of the Gazzetta del Popolo and Luigi Cavallero of La Stampa.
Why was it called the Grande Torino?
It was Italy's strongest team and one of the best in the world: five consecutive league titles between 1942-43 and 1948-49, with a break for the wartime seasons, and the first league and Italian Cup double in Italian football. The captain was Valentino Mazzola; in one national team match ten of the eleven were Torino players. After the disaster Torino were declared champions and fielded their youth team for the last four games, as their opponents also did out of respect. Almost a million people attended the funerals.
What do you see at the memorial?
A plaque with the names of all the victims, photographs, maroon scarves and flags left by supporters, and fresh flowers almost every day. It is a quiet place: people speak softly and make room for those who have come on purpose. From the forecourt you follow the Basilica wall round to the back; the path is short and flat. With a visit to the Royal Tombs and the dome, most people spend a couple of hours at Superga in all.
What happens every 4 May?
Every year on 4 May supporters and the team go up to Superga for the commemoration: a mass is held in the Basilica and the names of the fallen are read out in front of the memorial. On that day the road and the forecourt are very crowded: go early, or walk up Trail 27 or take the Sassi–Superga rack tramway, checking the day's timetable.
Where is the Grande Torino Museum?
The Museum of the Grande Torino and the Granata Legend was founded at Superga in 2002 and is now in Grugliasco, in Villa Claretta-Assandri, a seventeenth-century villa with about 650 square metres of displays. Its relics include a wheel and the propeller of the Superga plane, the dressing room of the old Filadelfia stadium and the bugle of the "trumpeter" who spurred the team on. Opening times change through the year: check the museum's website before you go.
Where to stay near Superga?
At Paradise – Nature & Wellness in Pino Torinese, on the other side of the same hill: Mansarda Paradise has two bedrooms and a hot tub for up to eight guests; The Green Space is a ninety square metre open-plan flat with kitchen and garden, pet friendly, for up to six. Breakfast and parking are included, Superga is a quarter of an hour by car and Turin 10–15 minutes. For dates, write on WhatsApp to +39 338 993 03 39.
Book directly on WhatsApp, breakfast and parking included.
