Photos from Antonia Melis
Ruffini Park is located in Borgo San Paolo, near the border of Turin. In the early decades of the 1900s, Vincenzo Lancia established the buildings of his automobile company in this area. With intense industrialization, farms and gardens were replaced by workshops and factories.
Ruffini Park Throughout the Borgo, there was a demographic increase that led to the opening of schools, houses, and services. In this context, it soon became necessary to have a space dedicated to the community for leisure and gathering.
Thus, the construction of a new park on the land of a famous farm called Galiziana was considered.
The farm belonged to the Galiziano family. Originally from Como, they moved to Turin in the 1600s and made a fortune in commerce. Following bad investments, they had a financial collapse and abandoned the building.
New Valentino Park
The park was then designed on the estate of the farm. Named after Gerolamo Napoleone Bonaparte, it was inaugurated in 1925. However, as often happens, the citizens renamed it in a simpler and more popular way. Thus, the New Valentino was born, a name still used by some, especially among the elderly.
During the period between the two world wars, a pavilion for the kindergarten was built inside the park. The stadium was also added, recently named after Primo Nebbiolo.
Ruffini Park During World War II, an air-raid shelter was built inside the stadium.
About 12 meters deep, equipped with ventilation, drinking water, lighting, and sanitary facilities, it could accommodate up to 1,500 people.
In 1945, at the end of the war, the park was named after Francesco Ruffini.
Francesco Ruffini was born in Iesolo in 1863, became Minister and Rector of the University of Turin. Ruffini was one of the 12 teachers (out of over 1,200) who in 1931 refused to swear allegiance to the fascist regime, consequently losing his chair. He died in Turin in 1934.
In 1961, for the celebrations of the centenary of the unification of Italy, the park was enriched with the sports hall designed by Pier Luigi Nervi.
Between the 1970s and 1980s, the park was expanded and completely pedestrianized. Unfortunately, since 2000, the fountain and the entire irrigation system of the park have not been functioning.
Ruffini Park today
Immersed in a densely populated Borgo and equipped with ping-pong tables, free soccer and tennis courts, a play area for children, and an area dedicated to gymnastic exercises, Ruffini Park is frequented by people of all ages.
A green space dedicated to urban relaxation, for meeting, exercising, or enjoying some rest in the open air.
The kiosk, in the center of the park, allows for a refreshing break with an ice cream or a quick aperitif away from the noise of city traffic, observing nearby the large group of chess players, both expert and novice.
In the summer, the park is particularly frequented by young people lying on the grass to sunbathe or for a pleasant evening walk in search of coolness