The district of Cuneo

In the province of Cuneo, there are some very interesting cities, like Saluzzo, Mondovi, Bra and Alba, but four Savoy residences, the Royal Castle of Racconigi Pollenzo Castle, the Castle and the Palace of Govone Valcasotto. To visit are also beautiful monumental complexes such as the Abbey of Staffarda shrine Vicoforte and some villas and castles. The province of Cuneo also offers the possibility to attend the famous spa towns, such as Vinadio.

Saluzzo

Saluzzo comes as a fortified citadel, dominated by the castle, which houses a circular tower, the only remaining parrte century construction, which was restored in the nineteenth century. Saluzzo was the capital of a marquis independent for more than 3 centuries. The city still retains parts of the medieval walls. In the narrow streets of downtown successive medieval and Renaissance buildings, plazas and arcades. Worth seeing is the cathedral-style late-Gothic, built in the late fifteenth century. Of particular interest is the altarpiece by Hans Clemens, located in the chapel of SS. Sacramento. The church of S. Giovanni, '300, has a great apse used as a funerary chapel of the Marquis. In the church are exhibited various fine frescoes and the tomb of Galeazzo Cavassa. Behind the altar is the tomb chapel of the Marquis, designed by Antoine Le Moiturier, which is an example of Gothic art Burgundy. We then come to the house Cavassa, mansion of 1400, today houses the Museo Civico di Casa Cavassa, where you can admire the magnificent rooms, such as that of Justice with the beautiful ceiling. Among the works of art are among others the "Labors of Hercules" and "the" Madonna of Mercy "by Hans Clemens. The Baroque period, however, are the Palazzo Comunale, the work of Francesco Gallo, with the Civic Tower (XV century), which offers a beautiful view over the city, the Church of Mercy, the beautiful ceilings that simulate architectural perspectives, and the chapel of the Immaculate Conception St. Bernardo.

Mondovi

Mondovi is a medieval twelfth century the area of Monregalese. The town is situated on two levels: a lower part, to commercial and industrial property, and a tall, older, reached by a cable car, which in August hosts the exhibition of handicrafts. Cathedral dedicated to St. Donato is located on the square and is one of the most beautiful works of Francesco Gallo, architect of the 700 born in this town and author of some of Piedmont's most famous buildings (such as the sanctuary of Vicoforte). To visit the Belvedere, the garden at the center of which lies the mighty tower of Bressani of 1300, the church of S. Fiorenzo for its remarkable frescoes fifteenth and the church of S. Xavier called "The Mission", which contains valuable paintings by Andrea Pozzo. In Mondovi was created the "Park of Time", consisting of the Civic Tower, the Gardens of the Belvedere and the Palace of Justice complex. Through these three buildings of great historical and artistic path has been conceived of the concept of deepening "Time", which also contribute to the many sundials in the city. Mondovi is the birthplace of Giovanni Giolitti.

Bra

The city is located between the Roero hills and high plains Cuneo. The city is characterized by the Baroque style. You can visit the beautiful church of S. Chiara, built in Baroque style in the middle of the '700 architect Bernardo Vittone, who also designed the town hall, Palazzo Traversa, a Gothic building of the '300 divided by double-and decorated with clay. The building houses the Traverse Civic Museum of Archeology and Art History, a collection of Etruscan and Roman archaeological excavations made in the area of Pollentia (Pollenzo), an ancient Roman colony. Here have been unearthed from the ruins of a theater far six thousand seats and an amphitheater used by seventeen thousand spectators. A new section also houses paintings from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. Also interesting is the museum "Craven" natural history, national and international point of reference in the field of meteorology and ornithology.
Bra is one of the centers of trade and maturing of cheeses produced in Cuneo dairymen. It also produces cow's milk cheese DOP, the Bra.

Alba

The town lies at the heart of an area famous for its gourmet products, truffles and wine over all. Early Neolithic settlement, was then a Roman city, a free city in the Middle Ages, between the thirteenth and fourteenth was governed by different principles and finally came in the seventeenth among the possessions of Savoy.
The old town, with its circular shape that follows the line of medieval walls, runs around the Piazza del Risorgimento, where we find the Palazzo Comunale and the Duomo. There stands the Tower artesian who along with other towers, like the tower and cut off the lovely home-cooked tower in Via Cavour, outlines the image of the old city. The Cathedral of S. Lorenzo was built at the end '400 Gothic-Lombard Romanesque building on an existing, which we can identify the parties is in the bell tower, which includes the oldest bell tower of the eleventh century, both in the interior pillars, also of the eleventh century. Attractions include the fine wooden choir of '500, the work of Bernardino Fossati. The Church of St. Dominic is the thirteenth-fourteenth century, in Gothic-Lombard. To see are outside, the beautiful splayed doorway, while inside there are interesting frescoes of '400-'500, the tomb of the fifteenth century Saracen Novelli and finally the sculptural group "The Cross", by Leonardo Bistoffi. Baroque period is instead the church of S. Mary Magdalene, which affects the undulating brick facade, unfinished, and, inside, frescoes and statues. Finally there is the Museo Civico "Federico Eusebio ", which contains archaeological Neolithic and Roman times.

Savoy residences in the province of Cuneo

Not far from Turin but in the province of Cuneo are four Savoy residences , Also belonging to the World Heritage 's UNESCO: Racconigi Royal Castle, the Castle of Pollenzo, Govone Castle and the Palace of Valcasotto.

• Royal Castle Racconigi. The castle dates from the thirteenth century, but in '600 was restored and transformed into a princely residence. Looks like a palace in most halls, roofs and red brick pagoda oriental. Attractions are the great Salon of Hercules, with the sculptures of Joseph Bolina included in the niches, the Hall of Diana, the apartment of China, in which the exoticism of late Eighteenth century is found in the finest painted paper that adorn. During the 800 additional buildings were constructed of service: the Margherita, which housed the Marge (herdsmen), which produces milk and cheese in the estate, and greenhouses. Very beautiful Castle Park, designed by André Le Nôtre, the most important designer of the gardens of the Baroque, which he formed with sloping lawns and the central avenue.
• Castle Pollenzo. Pollenzo was a Roman colony from the second century. BC have been found important evidence of Roman, now preserved in the Museo Civico di Bra. Of medieval origin, was restored in modern times by the will of Savoy and his project architect entrusted Pallagi, which makes it look like neo-Gothic. Now the University of Gastronomic Sciences, a project built by Carlo Petrini, founder Slow Food. Adjacent to the castle is the church of St. Victor, and nineteenth-century Neo-Gothic style by architect Ernesto Melano.
• Castle Govone. E 'of medieval origin, then transformed into a stately villa. Entrance with the stairs four flights of marble stairs, and inside you can admire the Chinese room, stucco, and the magnificent hall. Stayed the famous French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau, in charge of arranging the library Solaro, while the King of Sardinia, Carlo Felice of Savoy made it his summer residence. It is part of the 8 "castles doc" circuit of the castles of the Langhe and Roero.
• Reggia Valcasotto in the town of Garessio, dates back to the eleventh century. Was originally a Carthusian monastery, dedicated to St. Bruno. Went to the Savoy in 800 and was used by Charles Albert as a summer royal residence and his son Victor Emmanuel II as a villa venaria.

Even near Cuneo do not miss:

• Abbey Staffarda At Revello, is one of the most fascinating medieval monuments and best preserved of the Piedmont. The Cistercian monastery was founded in 1135 and flourished under the Marquis of Saluzzo, until the seventeenth was sacked by the French, who had invaded Piedmont. The abbey is characterized by brick red and displays an architectural style somewhere between the Romanesque and Gothic. The monastery remain, on the east side, part of the cloister and chapter house. The facade of the Romanesque church is typically preceded by the Gothic portico. The interior is very beautiful, stark and austere, in which there are the arches of red brick and gray stone pillars. The church is divided into three naves and three apses correspondents. The abbey contains works of art from a little 'all over Europe, including the great altarpiece of '500 of the local painter Pascale Oddone, the group of wooden statues polychrome German school, the wooden pulpit late Gothic-style Franco-Burgundian.
• Sanctuary Vicoforte. The shrine is one of the most famous monuments of Piedmont. Its construction is related to an ancient tale. It is said to have been built where there was a pylon with the depiction of the Madonna and Child. In the '500 was hit by mistake dall'archibugio a hunter and then became the object of popular devotion. The shrine is crowned by the world's largest elliptical dome (37.15 x24.80 m).
  At the end of '500 Vitozzi Ascanio was commissioned by Carlo Emanuele I of the construction of the sanctuary, which was completed in 700 by Francesco Gallo. To see the beautiful cloister Renaissance convent, the cycle of frescoes that adorn the majestic dome, which decorate well 6000 m. ², and finally the temple of the mast, designed by Gallo and located in the center of the building.
• Castello della Manta. Located just outside of Saluzzo, the castle is a safety box of the '300 then transformed into a stately home in the fifteenth century. It is most famous for the frescoes in the baronial hall, which dates from the early fifteenth century by an artist called Master of Manta. The frescoes illustrate the poems of "knight" of the Marquis Thomas III. It is surrounded by a beautiful park, owned by FAI.
• Villa Tornaforte, Madonna Olmo. It 'a XVI century building, originally an Augustinian convent. Following the French occupation and expropriation of assets of the church, 800, becomes the property of Count Bruno Tornaforte, who makes his residence to rest. The building is surrounded by a large park with monumental trees and a large lake.
• Villa Oldofredi Tadini. The building was built between the fourteenth and the fifteenth century as a watchtower for the defense of Cuneo. Today the villa is a museum with a collection of relics and pieces of the families of St. Michael and Mocchia Oldofredi Tadini. The guided tour takes visitors to the chapel with the relics of the Shroud of Turin, the rooms of the ground floor, some rooms on the second floor and the large park. In 800 the building was restored and used as permanent residence. It is still inhabited by descendants of Oldofredi Tadini.
• Also worth visiting the cave of Bossea, which lies at an altitude of 829 m. The cave consists of a series of large halls and is crossed by a rocky stream. Very beautiful are the calcareous concretions formed over time and the skeletal remains of prehistoric cave bears, here he spent his period of hibernation.
• In the province of Cuneo you can also visit some castles. For example Castle Verzuolo (XIII-XIV sec.) And that of Taparelli (XIV-XVI cent.) To Lagnasco. Then there are the castles of Costigliole Saluzzo: Red Castle (original XV century., Now a hotel), the Castellotti (XV-XVII sec.), The imposing castle Reynaud (XVII sec.).

The Spa

In the province of Cuneo are finally also famous spas. Our recommendation:

• The spa Vinadio in the upper Valle Stura, characterized by the presence of natural caves with water at different temperatures, where they treat arthritis and respiratory disorders. Care can be integrated with diet plans, aesthetic and anti-stress.
• The spa real Valdieri the center of the Natural Park dell'Argentera. The waters that gush out here producing algae Indications in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
• A Lurisia is the main source of radiation in Europe. Was Madame Curie in 1940 to open the first plant, now known for inhalations, mud baths and bath. The spa is located at 700 m above sea level. There are eight springs, whose waters flow from a tunnel 600 meters long