Piazza San Carlo was designed by Carlo di Castellamonte (1560-1641), the favourite architect of Savoy’s royal family. It covers an area of 12,768 square metres (three acres). Elegant porticos surround it except for the southern side, occupied by the “twin” churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo (both designed in 1619-1620). The equestrian monument in the centre honours Emmanuel Philibert (the Iron Head), the duke who made Turin the capital of Savoy.