Perhaps you’ve heard about the Shroud of Turin but you’re not quite sure what is fact and what is fiction. You’re not alone. There is tremendous controversy surrounding this mysterious artifact.
From ancient tales about its religious origins to more recent news debating its authenticity, I don’t blame anyone for feeling confused. It’s one of the reasons I created this post, to sift the truth from the nonsense.
Stick with me to find out everything you should know about the Shroud of Turin. I’ll take you through the facts, how to visit, and the hype surrounding this famous material.
The Shroud of Turin facts
With so much hype surrounding the Shroud of Turin’s authenticity, it’s difficult to know what’s true or false. Let’s take a look at what is known about the artifact below.
Turin Shroud: what is it?
The esteemed shroud is a linen cloth, roughly 15 feet in length. The material has a light brownish imprint on it that bears resemblance to a naked man’s front and back, with his hands folded across his groin area. Many believe the image to be of the crucified man, Jesus, and see it as a Catholic symbol.
Some perceive it to be the Jesus Shroud – the authentic burial cloth of Jesus Christ. For others, the material is more about meaning. They consider the shroud to be a religious metaphor that represents the story of Christ. One thing is certain though, the shroud remains an important symbol for Christians all around the world.
Why is it called the Shroud of Turin?
The earliest mentions of this artifact were during the 1350s. Historical records placed it in Lirey, France. Which is interesting, considering it’s called the Shroud of Turin, which is in Italy. The reason for its name is actually more to do with its current location.
Where is the Shroud of Turin located?
The motivation behind its name is directly linked to its most recent location. Since 1578, the artifact has been kept at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy. Also known as the Turin Cathedral, this sacred location is the seat of the Archbishops of Turin and is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.
When was the Shroud of Turin discovered?
As mentioned, the Turin Shroud first emerged in historical records in the 1350s. A French knight, Geoffroi de Charny, was said to have approached the dean of the church in Lirey, claiming it was the shroud of Jesus.
Unfortunately, there appear to be no records of how the knight managed to find the shroud or where it was prior to the 1350s. This feeds into the mystery surrounding the cloth as many people wonder where it has been for the 1300 intervening years since Christ’s burial.
How to visit the Turin Shroud
If you’re taking a trip to Turin, Italy, or the surrounding areas, you have to visit the Turin Cathedral where the shroud is housed. Here are some tips on where to stay and see the shroud.
Where to stay in Turin to visit the Holy Shroud?
There are many gorgeous places you can stay in Turin. You can read our comprehensive guide on where to stay in Turin here. But if you want to stay near Turin’s Cathedral and the Shroud Museum, here are three great hotels in Turin historical center that we selected for you:
NH Torino Santo Stefano hotel is located 150m from Turin’s Cathedral. It’s the perfect place to stay if you want to be in the heart of Quadrilatero Romano and close to all the city’s attractions. It’s one of the prestigious 4-star hotels in Turin that offer spacious rooms, delicious breakfast included in the room rate, and a rooftop terrace with fantastic panoramic views of the city.
You can book your room at NH Torino Santo Stefano by clicking here!
Combo Torino is the perfect option for people who want to socialize or save some money. The hostel offers modern private rooms and dorms (mixed and female only). The hostel location is super central, right in front of the Porta Palazzo market and a few steps from Turin’s Cathedral and Turin Royal Palace. The hostel offers spacious and super tidy rooms and bathrooms, a shared kitchen, a nice restaurant/bar, and hosts cultural events weekly.
Check the rates and book your bed at Combo Turin hostel here!
The Hotel Diplomatic offers a mean breakfast buffet and is located 51 meters from the train station. This makes it a great home base for exploring and it’s an easy 17-minute bus drive to the Turin Cathedral. It is only 19 minutes if you would like to walk!
How to see the Shroud?
It’s not as easy as popping to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist to see the shroud. The artifact is in such a fragile state that it isn’t put on display for the general public. It is guarded by bulletproof glass and security cameras.
You can see replicas and incredible displays of the artifact at the Most Holy Shroud Museum. Here, you can learn about its fascinating history and its many many mysteries.
You can also keep an eye on the news. Every so often, they allow members of the public to view this incredible symbol. If you time your trip alongside one of these viewings, then you’ll be able to see the real shroud in all its glory.
Even if you’re not able to see the actual shroud itself, you can still take a historical night tour of Turin, and visit the magnificent cathedral where it is kept.
After admiring the Cathedral you can visit the Museum of the Shroud (Il Museo della Sidone in Italian) that is located 10 minutes walking from the Cathedral. There you can learn more about the scientific studies and history of the Holy Shroud.
One note, the museum located next to the Turin Cathedral is not the museum on the Turin Shroud. That is the Museo Diocesano di Torino that has a collection about sacred art and where you can visit the bell tower for a magnificent view of the historical Palatine Gate (Porta Palatina) and the Turin Royal Palace.
Is the Shroud of Turin authentic?
Now for the big question, is the Shroud of Turin real? The answer is complicated. In 1988, a number of scientists carbon-dated the artifact in order to find out more about its origins. These scientists found that the shroud dated back to between A.D. 1260 and 1390. This suggested that the shroud was inauthentic as the burial of Jesus was meant to have occurred in A.D. 33.
However, in more recent times, doubt has been cast on this study. Researchers have since found that the radiocarbon dating that took place was unreliable due to the nature of the testing.
Those who uphold that the shroud is real, believe that the years of damage, including a 1532 fire, have corrupted the artifact. They suggest that this corruption means that it is near to impossible to provide reliable dating of the cloth.
Shroud of Turin: DNA
In attempts to prove the shroud of Turin fake or real, scientists have conducted DNA tests to shed some light on the mystery. These tests analyzed the human and non-human DNA on the shroud.
The results uncovered that people from many different places had touched the shroud. Regarding the authenticity, these results have brought us no closer to an answer. These results just deepened the intrigue around the shroud, suggesting that it had a colorful traveling history since its discovery in the 1350s.
Is it worth visiting the “Cloth of Jesus”?
We took a look at some Shroud of Turin facts and dove into the controversy following the divine artifact. Between the believers, scientists, and the naysayers, there are plenty of thoughts and opinions to go around.
Since the tests and research have proven inconclusive, it appears that the answer to whether it’s authentic or not rests with you! Despite your beliefs or religion, this is an important piece of history, and a visit to the Turin Shroud is worth it for those who want to know more.
Watch this Web Stories about the Shroud of Turin.