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Home › Jackson-Stops
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Piemonte
The
Piemonte is located in the Northwest of Italy bordering on France;
much of the region is mountainous hence its name, which translates
as ‘Mountain foot’, and is covered with snow and ice
reaching up to the heights of Monte Rosa with Sestriere one
of the regions leading ski resorts. The region is one of contrasts
– from rich rolling vineyards to the mountain wonderland
of the Gran Paradiso National Park with the largest river in
Italy - the Po, and its many tributaries, crossing the region.
The capital of Piemonte and a notable tourist destination is
Turin whose tourist attractions include the Mole Antonelliana
a strange, spire-topped building that features on the Italian
2 euro-cent coin and houses a museum of cinema. The Piazza Castello
is the heart of tourist Turin and is home to grand palaces such
as Palazzo Reale, the royal palace of the Savoy dynasty and
Palazzo Madama previously a castle, prison, barracks and senate
house. Around the Piazza - and indeed throughout Turin - you
will find elegant historic cafes; an important part of Turin
life!
Turin is home to two major football clubs: Juventus and Torino,
Juventus are one of the most successful and powerful clubs in
Italy with a large fan base throughout the country and beyond,
while Torino are the team of choice for many locals. Both teams
play at the Stadio delle Alpi, a panoramically situated stadium
on the edge of town, with special bus connections on match days.
Turin is also renowned for the ‘Holy Shroud’,
which lies in Guarani’s chapel, and as the setting for
the original film of The Italian Job, starring Michael
Caine, and fans can enjoy themselves spotting locations from
the film.
Turin does not have the political importance it once held before
the parliament of a united Italy moved to Rome, but the city
is a major industrial centre (most famous for car manufacturer
Fiat) and the attractive Baroque town centre is gracious and
cosmopolitan. The city is full of noble equestrian statues of
Savoy princes, and elegant arcaded streets for all-weather shopping
and strolling. Car parking though, is notable, even by Italian
standards, and drivers habitually abandon their cars in the
middle of streets and junctions. Pedestrians should be aware
of the many streets that pass through the arcades as you can
be strolling along window shopping when a car suddenly cuts
across your path!
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The more peaceful and verdant
charms of the lakes Maggiore and Orte are also extremely
popular with visitors and those keen to explore less known
corners of the region will be rewarded with gems like
Alba, with its many medieval towers, the hillside chapels
and imposing religious sanctuary above Biella or the historical
costumed ‘Battle of the Oranges’ at Ivrea.
Most of the population live on the plain and in spite
of the advanced industrialisation and modernity of the
cities, the Piedmontese are very conservative as far as
their traditions are concerned and folk festivals are
still widely attended. Thanks to the great abundance of
water in the region, agriculture is also very important
with the main products being rice, wine, maize, potatoes
and the precious white truffle. Piemonte wines include
Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti Spumante and Vermouth and among
the regions prized products are truffles from the Alba
area, cheeses such as Gorgonzola, and a delicious range
of biscuits and chocolates. |
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