The Frejus Tunnel Monument is constructed from boulders excavated from the actual tunnel site in the Alps.
A small obelisk atop the monument features a star that, according to occult theorists, marks one of the vertices of a 'black magic' triangle connecting Turin, London, and San Francisco.
The square is situated on the 45th parallel north, which historically served as a boundary line in Roman urban planning known as the decumanus.
The construction of the square in 1865 necessitated the demolition of several historical buildings that once stood in the path of the expansion.
In the 19th century, the square served as a gathering point for labor strikes and political demonstrations due to its location near the main railway stations.
Piazza Statuto is a significant neoclassical square in Turin, completed in 1865 during the city's tenure as Italy's first capital. It is famously known in local folklore as the 'dark heart' of Turin due to its position on the city's western edge and its association with historical legends regarding black magic and occult geometry. The square features the Frejus Tunnel Monument, an obelisk-style memorial inaugurated in 1879 to honor the workers who excavated the transalpine rail tunnel. The surrounding architecture consists of uniform, arcaded buildings typical of the 19th-century Savoyard urban planning style. The western side of the square remains a major traffic junction, while the central garden provides a distinct separation from the busy street noise. The square marks the starting point of Via Garibaldi, one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe. It stands as a physical boundary between the historic core and the newer industrial districts of the city.
From the center of the garden looking eastward toward the Frejus Monument with the arcaded buildings framing the background.
Walk the full length of the arcade perimeter to appreciate the uniformity of the 19th-century facade design.
Visit the beginning of Via Garibaldi immediately after seeing the square to transition from historical monuments to modern urban commerce.
Keep a distance from the heavy traffic on the western perimeter as the square functions as a major intersection for local vehicles.
Do not attempt to cross the busy multi-lane streets surrounding the square outside of designated pedestrian crossings, as traffic can be aggressive.
