I’m not sure why anyone would deliberately make a church creepy, but around 1670, architect Guarino Guarini thought that was a great idea.

From the exterior, Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo is discreet and unchurch-like.

And, on the inside, not the kind of church I’m all that excited about, but still nice to see that interesting dome.

Um, about that dome, something is a little…..

GAH!

CREEPY!!!!!!!

The real reason I was in the church was certainly not to be freaked out. I timed my visit to coincide with the noon hour of the autumn solstice. See that dark hole in the top of the vault in the side aisle? That’s dark year round except…

…twice a year, at noon during the spring and fall equinox, when a beam of light travels across the church, near the ceiling until it crosses the circular window above the vault, filling the interior with light and…

…lighting up a hidden fresco of God the Father!

An epiphany!

And for the second miracle of the day, the church officially closed for the mid-day break at noon, but the attendant allowed me and a few other gawkers to stay an extra 20 minutes past closing to watch the secret fresco reveal—a true equinox miracle.

How I got to Turin: train from Genoa.

Where I slept: Hotel Bologna.  Price: €147.  Recommended: yes