At the launch of the New electric FIAT 500, in March of last year, we told you about two beautiful projects coming in 2021, Casa 500 and Pista 500. The idea of the Turin-based company was of realize on the track on the roof of the Lingotto, the brand’s historic factory in Turin, a place accessible to all citizens. Today, at the launch of the FIAT (500) RED range, which we will soon talk about in detail, FIAT officially presents Casa 500 and Pista 500. It is, respectively, the first museum dedicated to Cinquino he was born in largest hanging garden in Europe. Are you curious to know these two new attractions of the Savoyard city?
The history of the Lingotto, and its (little exploited) jewel track in the middle of the city
To understand the importance of this place for FIAT and for the 500, let’s take a step back almost 100 years to 1923, when the the new factory of the Turin-based company, the Lingotto. Built on the ruins of a farm belonging to the Robilant nobles, contrary to what one might think the Lingotto factory did not take its name from its square shape typical of the twenty-year period, influenced by rationalism of the great works of that era. The area on which the Lingotto was built was in fact already known as Lingotto since 1600, when the Lingotto nobles were the lords of the nearby town of Moncalieri.
They were necessary almost 20 years of work, started in 1916 and finished only in 1930, despite the official inauguration took place 7 years before the start of production. After all this waiting, however, the Lingotto took its shape still preserved today. Although it is a factory born over 100 years ago, the construction and use of the spaces were very modern. The work environment was illuminated with natural light thanks to huge windows, and the production was in series, of a Taylorist style.
The body of the Lingotto was made up of two parallel structures, joined at the ends by two helical ramps. These, as tall as the entire structure, allowed cars to move from the first floor to the top without the need for elevators or freight elevators. At the top, then, is the famous test track on the roof. Formed by two straights with two curves parabolic, allowed the newly produced cars to be tested immediately, with the flyover allowing a mileage of 90 km/h.
The abandonment of production and the redevelopment of a shopping center
During the Second World War, the Lingotto was heavily damaged, and for several years he focused on the production of refrigerators and washing machines under the FIAT brand, very popular in the period of the economic boom. After a period of readjustment, however, FIAT produced hundreds of thousands of models at the Lingotto, including the legendary one 500 of 1957. Flanked and surpassed by the brand new factory in Mirafiori, But, the Lingotto closed its doors in 1982, three years after starting production of the first series of the new Lancia Delta.
From that 1982, for a few years the Lingotto fell into a sad decline and disuse. After a few redevelopment projects, for which the famous architect Renzo Piano was also consulted, only after 5 years, in 1987, did the Lingotto come back to life. The project of retraining aimed at creating a triple use building. A part of the Lingotto was destined for use commercial; a second part to use housing; the third, on the other hand, focused on culture, with the creation of exhibitions and museums.
The first piece to go in its place was the Shopping Center, the 8-Gallery, opened in 1987. Then some hotels arrived, a brand new one Convention Center, and, later, the Cinema, the Gianni and Marella Agnelli Art Gallery, a student residence and a branch of the Polytechnic of Turin. In addition, the former press building became the exhibition center Lingotto Fairs, still used today for events such as Automotoretrò or the Book Fair. Finally, in the last year, the new Lingotto has granted itself a lifting, that has completely changed the shopping area, now renamed Lingotto Shopping Center, not to mention the news on the roof.
Casa 500, the new museum dedicated to the Cinquino
If the rest of the Lingotto has returned to a new life in the last 30 years, the roof e the elevated runway have had a harder time being reborn. On the top of the Congress Center was built in 1994 the Bubble. Designed by Renzo Piano, it is an exclusive congress hall with very few seats, even equipped with a heliport. Together with the Bubble, some activities have tried their luck on the roof, but without being able to revive this magical place.
At least until today. After 40 years of abandonment, in fact, the very people who made this place special are back, FIAT. The Turin-based company, now part of Stellantis, has decided to redevelop and make the Lingotto flyover a unique place in the world. Like? By creating two places that are candidates to become one a must for those passing through Turin: Casa 500 and Pista 500. Let’s start from the first place, that is the museum dedicated to the legendary Cinquino, Casa 500.
It is one 700 m3 exhibition space created inside the Gianni and Marella Agnelli Art Gallery. However, FIAT did not want to create a classic car museum dedicated to the Cinquino. In fact, in Casa 500 the most famous model in Italy is closely linked to the history of Italy, which has passed through its three generations. Since 1957, with the New 500 to give the decisive push for the Economic Boom, and the analysis of the history of 500 linked to that of Italy through 63 years of history. There is room for Made In Italy and for the Economic Boom. There will be an area dedicated to the relaunch of the Lingotto, from an inaccessible place to a social place, to the revolution of the 500 in 2007. In the end, there will be room for a look to the future. A more respectful, cleaner and more ethical future, perfectly represented by the third generation of 500, completely electric.
Pista 500, from test circuit to garden: over 40,000 species of plants that can be enjoyed by anyone
But the real star of the new Lingotto is not only the museum, but also and above all the redevelopment of a world heritage: the track. Now in an almost total state of disuse, used only for sporadic car presentations or for special events, today the flyover finds its way. The Track 500 however, it deviates slightly from the world of motors, to embrace that of sustainability and for reconnect to the city where it is located, Turin. For those who do not know, in fact, the city of Turin is the greenest city in Italy, and even finds its place in the world top 15. In fact, in the Piedmontese capital they are present 51 parks, 12 of which are very large, and more 400 between small parks and gardens.
To these parks is added the 52nd, perhaps the most special of all. The raised track remains, and will be usable only by electric vehicles, bicycles and scooters, but has now changed its appearance. The star of the roof, however, becomes nature. Work of the architect Benedetto Camerana, the garden develops in 28 islands for 7,000 m2 along all 1.2km of the track, and accommodates well 40,000 plant species. But it won’t be a simple garden either. In fact, the track remains open to those who want to run or ride a bicycle, and they will be there different thematic areas within it. From the perfect area for yoga to the one for meditation, the running track and the fitness area, to stay in shape in the highest roof garden in Europe.
“A garden open to all Torinesi”
There are also infographics to learn about the history of the city of Turin and its monuments, an exhibition of 9 sculptures by the greatest sculptors of the twentieth century. There will then be a path divided into 5 stages to learn about all the native botanical species. We will soon go to see live and to know the garden of Pista 500, which promises to be a special place for every Turin. For FIAT, therefore, the goal was not and will not be to sell 500 more with this project, but to do something for Torino. “The Pista 500 is the largest roof garden in Europe and the decision to build it on the roof of an early 20th century factory has a highly symbolic value for us” explains FIAT CEO, Olivier Francois.
“The Lingotto is a place that a hundred years ago was a source of pollution par excellence and a track that was secret and inaccessible at the time, has now become a garden open to all the inhabitants of Turin. All of this highlights the fact that our goal is not just to promote cars. Our new course also includes care and attention for the climate, the community, the culture.
When will Casa 500 and Pista 500 open to the public?
From Turin, I am very curious to know this new face of a place that has always been central to the city, like the Lingotto. Already passed from the industrial period to its role as a nerve center for the sociality of the city and the entire province, the Lingotto with Casa 500 and Pista 500 can become a real reference for those looking for, in the frenzy of the capital, a quiet and isolated place 30 meters from the road.
For all the Turinese and not who want to know the new face of the Lingotto flyover, admission will be free and open to all. No place dedicated only to events, no special invitations. Both the museum and the 500 garden will be open to anyone who wants to explore them up close. Are you curious to see what Casa 500 and Pista 500 have in store? In the next few days we will go to take a ride in the new green lung, to see what it can give to the beautiful Turin.