On a hill outside Torino

In 1706, French troops had invaded the area around Torino.

The local ruler, Duke Vittorio Amedeo II of the house of Savoy, went outside the city to do reconnaissance.

Atop the hill of Superga he went inside a small parish church and prayed. He vowed that if they were able to defeat the invaders, he would build a larger church building on that spot.

The French were defeated.

In 1731, a brand-new Basilica opened atop the hill of Superga.