«Hallo, I would like to visit the Shroud at around 10.00 am on 2 September, I would like to see the Automobile Museum on the same day at 3 pm and I would like to go to the royal house Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi on the next day».

This is and example of a call that could be made to the number 800.329.329 (free of charge), activated since 31 January for the Exposition 2000. In fact, the system of bookings that allows to make reservations in advance is fully working at the moment. It can be used for the Exposition of the Shroud but also for other museums and monuments in Piemonte, avoiding long lines. This service will remain active also after the exposition. These museums will allow you to book through the free telephone number (which can be called from 9 am to 6 pm - to 10 pm during the Exposition) and through the web site of Regione Piemonte - www.giubileo.piemonte.it: exposition of the Shroud, Museum of Egyptian art, museum of the Automobile, museum of Risorgimento, museum Pietro Micca, Galleria Sabauda, Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery, Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace); Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi, museum of Contemporary Art at Castello of Rivoli, Sacra di San Michele, fortress of Fenestrelle and Exilles. Those who will book on-line or by telephone can chose the day and time they wish, as long as it is available, and they will receive a booking code that they should give at the entrance of the museums.

VISITING THE SHROUD

204.829 reservations were made before 14 June, both through the internet and by telephone. A high percentage of visitors are coming from abroad: 8,6% from Western Europe and 3,5% from Eastern Europe; among foreign countries we find North America, Central and South America, Asia and Australia, Africa. 75% of visitors come from Italy, many in organized groups. From 12 to 26 August, the exposition is especially addressed to young people who are going to take part of the Youth World Meeting in Rome. Up to date, about thirty thousand of them came to see the Shroud, but many others are expected; from 10 to 14 August, twenty thousand more will come to Piedmont. The most numerous groups are coming from Spain, many from Poland and France; many groups of Americans are also coming from catholic schools in Los Angeles and New York. Not counting 12, 13, and 14 August, days in which most of the reservations were made by people of the youth meeting, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October have been the days that registered the highest number of bookings. 9.864 reservations have been made for Sunday 1 October, 9.701 for Sunday 15 October; 7.593 for Saturday 16 September, and 6.691 for Sunday 24. 

INTERNET

The possibility of getting in touch with the exposition through electronic mail was definitely successful. Almost half of the bookings were made through the internet, using the web site of the Region (which is reachable also through the church of Turin web site: www.sindone.org ). In 1998, the reservations made on the internet were 10.6% of the total. On the web site www.giubileo.piemonte.it you can also have information in five languages (Italian, English, French, Spanish and German) about transportation, accommodations, events and 14 routes for the jubilee in Piedmont, drawn by local authorities coordinated by Regione Piemonte. Every main point of the route is described in detail and itineraries can be followed walking or riding a bicycle or by car. Moreover, on the web site you can find the description of the route of the Shroud, especially for those who will visit in Torino when the Shroud is not displayed.

KIOSKS

In the days of the Exposition, as in 1998, it will be possible to make reservations in seven kiosks, in the city centre and in other suburbs. They will be located in piazza Castello, in the Giardini Reali bassi (low Royal Gardens), in Lungo Dora Savona, in the Pellerina park, at the Stadio delle Alpi, in piazza Caio Mario, in zona Stura. The service is managed by a group of cooperatives.

HOTEL AND OTHER RESERVATIONS

A hotel booking system will be activated on the internet in the first days of July, thanks to Turismo Torino and to the Comitato per l’ostensione della Sindone (Committee for the Exposition of the Shroud). It will allow those who are coming to see the Exposition to make reservations in Torino’s hotels or bed & breakfast by e-mail (info@turismotorino.org). It will also be possible to contact the office by fax (+39.011.530070), or to make reservations going to the info point located in piazza Castello 161, on the corner of via Garibaldi. The internet service will be working every day and it is free of charge for the public.