A "chivalrous" visit. The life of the young Knights of the nineteenth century, the Historical Museum of the Cavalry Corps and the Belle Epoque in Pinerolo

The experience

Between the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, while many Piedmontese left our valleys in search of fortune, many young people arrived in Pinerolo at the prestigious Cavalry School.

Come with us to get to know the Pinerolo of the nineteenth century and the Belle Epoque, which from 1849 to 1943 housed the Cavalry School, founded in Venaria in 1823 and which has just celebrated its 200th anniversary. The headquarters of Pinerolo was chosen in 1849 by the Royal Army “for the mildness of the climate, the abundance of water and fodder and the healthiness of the land” but, also, to keep the students away from the capital considered “especially for young people a dangerous center of attraction” (from the Memoirs of General Carlo Montù).

Chivalry has a fascinating and ancient history and our walk in the Historical Museum of the Cavalry Corps will allow you to learn about the life of young Knights, and among them many from illustrious families, who between the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries came to Pinerolo to study and prepare for a career as officers. Among uniforms, decorations, weapons and, above all, stories of horses and men, you will meet Captain Federigo Caprilli, a great riding instructor and inventor, at the beginning of the 20th century, of the riding method called “Naturale Italiano”, supporting the natural movements of the horse and capable of creating a deep understanding between steed and rider.

But that’s not all: you will visit with our guide the historic center frequented by the officer students of the Belle Epoque, the famous Holy Stairs and the Cavallerizza Caprilli, built between 1909 and 1910 by the Military Engineers, today the oldest structure of its kind and the largest covered riding school in Europe.

And finally, you will find out why the typical confectionery specialty of Pinerolo is called Torta Zurigo… enjoying it in the city’s historic cafes.