We all know Turin as the Savoy city, capital of Piedmont and once the capital of Italy. But have you ever wondered where his name comes from?
Surrounded by the Alps, the history of this important city has its roots in a past that is also reflected in its name. The current toponym derives from the ancient Roman name Augusta Taurinoruma tribute to the emperor Augustus and the people who inhabited the area: i Taurini.
Because Turin is called that
But why “Taurini”? Despite what you might think, the name has nothing to do with bulls, undisputed symbol of the city. Other legends tell of a ferocious dragon defeated by a drunken bull or, again, of an Egyptian god who arrived on the banks of the Po, but the reality is very different.
The etymology of Turin takes us back in time, to the era of Celtic-Ligurian populations who lived in the area. The name “Taurini” derives from an Indo-European root that recalls the mountains: oros (mountain in Greek) o stuhur (massive in Sanskrit). A clear reference to the Alps that surround the city and which have always shaped its landscape and culture.
Curiosities about Turin that perhaps you don’t know
In addition to the legends about the bulls, here are some curiosities about the name of Turin:
- The name Augusta Taurinorum has evolved over time, passing through Taurinorum, Taurine And Turin up to the present Turin;
- There are several theories about the origin of the name Taurini. In addition to the mountain root hypothesis, some scholars suggest a link with the river Doracalled Taurinus by Romans;
- The symbol of the bull, although not linked to the etymology of the name, has become an icon of Turin since the Middle Ages.
Why is it important to know the origin of the name of a city?
Discovering the etymology of a toponym allows us to delve deeply into the history of a place, of understand its origins and connection with the territory. It’s a fascinating journey that helps us better appreciate our city and feel part of a collective identity.
In an increasingly globalized world, knowing our roots and enhancing our cultural heritage becomes even more important. The name of Turin, with its thousand-year history and its connection with the mountains, is a precious piece of this identity mosaic.
