In the Lingotto district, Fiat built the great factory in 1916 – including the part that became a cult, the test track on the roof for the new Fiat models. For a long time, this car factory was technically the most ambitious the European automobile industry had to offer. This made the factory the focal point of life in the Lingotto district and the hub of all economic and social activities. With the plant in Lingotto, Fiat became one of the largest automobile manufacturers in Europe, alongside the Wolfsburg VW Group. Due to major mismanagement, the Fiat Group stumbled at the end of the 70s and beginning of the 80s, so the plant in Lingotto was abandoned in 1982. However, the entire Lingotto district was also destroyed by the plant. Initiated by massive citizen protests, an architectural competition was announced for the old Fiat plant, which was won by the Italian architect Renzo Piano. His project envisaged a modern cultural and exhibition centre with a concert hall, multiplex cinema (Pathè Lingotto), five-star hotel (Le Meridien), shopping centre and a cube on the roof for the Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli. After completion, the Lingotto district was also revitalised, so that today a vibrant quarter on the outskirts of Turin has once again been created around the old Fiat factory.
Via Nizza, 262
10126 Turin
