For several centuries, the present-day Piedmontese capital was the seat of the royal house of Savoy and the capital of the kingdom of the same name; numerous castles in and around Turin bear witness to this stately past. In the 19th century, the city became the centre of Italy’s national movement (Risorgimento), which led to the unification of Italy in 1861. At the beginning of the 20th century, the city was strongly influenced by the Fiat Group. Today, Turin presents itself as an elegant and well-kept residential city with French-inspired architecture, inviting collonades, posh coffee houses and a lively cultural life. In 1997, the residences of the Royal House of Savoy were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Turin has a tradition of chocolate making, so be sure to enjoy tempting hazelnut nougat (gianduja), coffee creations such as the "bicerin" and other culinary delights.The Teatro Regio was built by Benedetto Alfieri in Piazza Castello in the city centre; it opened in 1740. The highlight of a very eventful history was certainly the premiere of Puccini’s "La Bohème" under Arturo Toscanini in 1896. After a fire and decades of closure, the Teatro Regio finally celebrated its reopening in 1973 and has since enriched the musical repertoire of northern Italy.