Whispers of the past linger here at San Pietro in Vincoli. This isn’t just any church. It’s Turin’s oldest cemetery. Imagine the stories held within these walls.
San Pietro in Vincoli a place of both life and death. Built in 1777 it served as Turin’s primary burial ground. It lay just outside the city walls. It was originally known as the cemetery of the Holy Crucifix. The name San Pietro in Vincoli is curious. Some say it’s because of the many cabbage fields nearby. In Piedmontese cabbage is coj so San Pietro di Vincoj became San Pietro in Vincoli.
Nobles were buried beneath the covered porticos. The common folk rested in the open area. There were even separate sections for the executed and suicides. A grim reminder of societal norms. San Pietro in Vincoli received bodies from numerous churches and hospitals. It was the central cemetery of Turin.
Disaster struck in 1852. The Borgo Dora gunpowder magazine exploded. It devastated San Pietro in Vincoli. In 1882 burials finally ceased. Yet the cemetery remained open until 1937.
After World War II vandalism and satanic rituals plagued the grounds. In 1970 the city cleared the site. Most of the tombs were moved to the Monumental Cemetery. The common graves however were simply sealed.
Profanations and black masses continued. The area became a symbol of decay. Then in the 1980s a restoration began. Today San Pietro in Vincoli hosts cultural events. It’s a vibrant testament to Turin’s rich yet complex history. The Varvara Festival a celebration of dark esoteric music is held here. This too is part of the church’s intriguing legacy. A princess’s ghost is said to roam the grounds. The legend adds to the allure of this intriguing space. From 1986 to 2008 it housed the Mario Gromo Bibliomediateca of the Cinema Museum. Now three associations manage it. The former cemetery lives on as a venue for diverse cultural events. A fascinating transformation.