Crumbling walls whisper tales of Cascina Nuova. This isn’t just any farmhouse. It stands as a testament to centuries of Turin’s history. Originally known as the “Cascina dei Canonici” it belonged to the Chapter of San Giovanni. Records from 1632 describe it as a simple structure. Expansion followed between 1632 and 1706. It grew from a single building into a larger complex enclosed by walls.
But change was coming. By the mid-eighteenth century Cascina dei Canonici was demolished. The road to Stupinigi was being improved. The old farmhouse had to go. In its place Cascina Nuova rose between 1754 and 1755. Architect Giovanni Tommaso Prunotti designed it. His plan survives a rare example of Turin farmhouse designs from that era. He cleverly used the existing layout of the Cascina dei Canonici. Prunotti’s design included a dwelling with cellars. The ground floor featured living areas. Upstairs there were bedrooms and a loggia. Two vaulted stables with haylofts above completed the design. The new buildings matched the height of the main house. Even a forno a wood-fired oven and a well were part of the design.
Further expansions took place. Napoleon’s cadastral maps from 1805 show this. The layout had changed into a “C” shape. By 1820 it was called Cascina Gioberti. The property was owned by the Gariel family. The Cascina Nuova continued to evolve. In 1866 more buildings were added. A new “L” shaped section was added. This formed a large central courtyard.
Towards the end of the 19th century Cascina Nuova found a new purpose. Mirafiori’s new racecourse was built. Many farmhouses were adapted. Cascina Nuova became a stable for the racehorses. Sadly Cascina Nuova was damaged during World War II bombings. The exact date is unclear. Today Cascina Nuova is privately owned. Its condition is described as mediocre. The original 18th century sections remain. These are visible in the residential building the stables and the casotti. Other parts date from after 1866. Still others have been demolished since the mid-20th century. Cascina Nuova is a living reminder of Turin’s agricultural past its resilience and its enduring spirit. It silently witnesses the changes of time. Its history is interwoven with the city itself. This little corner of Turin tells of the changing lives of its inhabitants over the centuries.