Ponte vecchio in Ivrea, Piedmont.
Introduction
Piedmont (Piemonte in Italian) is the second largest of Italian region after Sicily, and the sixth most populous, with 4.4 million inhabitants. The name Piedmont comes from Latin ad pedem montium, meaning "at the foot of the mountains". The region evolved from the Duchy of Savoy (1416-1713), then the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia (1720–1861), which under the rule of the the House of Savoy went on to unify Italy in 1861.
Piedmont is heavily centralised around its capital, Turin, around which the House of Savoy erected 15 royal residences. They were added together to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1997. Nowadays the region is dominated by another dynasty, the Agnelli, owners of the Fiat Group, which produces such brands as Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Ferrari.
While most of the people can speak Italian, there are 2 million speakers of the local Piedmontese language, as well as substantial minorities of Franco-Provençal and Occitan speakers near the French border.
Famous people from Piedmont include (chronologically): the dramatist Vittorio Alfieri, Italy's first Prime Minister Camillo Benso (Count of Cavour), Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy (first king of Italy), the entrepreneur Giovanni Agnelli (founder of Fiat), the fashion designer Ermenegildo Zegna, fashion designer Nina Ricci, the neurologist Rita Levi-Montalcini (Nobel Prize), the microbiologist Salvador Luria (Nobel Prize), the industralist Gianni Agnelli, the fashion designer Nino Cerruti, and the writer Umberto Eco.
Cuisine
Piedmontese cuisine is widely regarded as one of the best in Italy. Influenced by French cuisine, Piedmontese cuisine is both progressive and varied. The small town of Alba is recognised as the world's white-truffle capital and a gourmet hotspot. As of 2012, Alba and its outskirts had the fifth highest number of Michelin stars in all Italy, making it one of the country's top culinary destinations.
Lowland Piedmont is a fertile agricultural and viticultural region. It produces prestigious wines such as the Barolo and the Barbaresco from the Langhe area near Alba. The vineyards around Asti, Italy's largest producing appellation, are renowned for the Barbera d'Asti, Moscato d'Asti and the Asti Spumante (made from Moscato Bianco grapes), one of Italy's top sparkling wines. 55% of all Piedmontese wines have a DOC(G) quality label, one of the highest proportions in the country. All in all, Piedmont has no less than 45 DOC and 16 DOCG for wines, the highest numbers in Italy for both categories.
The region's most famous cheese is without contest Gorgonzola (also produced in neighbouring Lombardy), but there are many other noteworthy ones like Bra, Castelmagno, Castelrosso, Maccagno, Robiola, and Toma.
Typical Piedmontese dishes include agnolotti (ravioli filled with beef and vegetable), bagna càuda (vegetables dipped in a sort of fondue made with garlic, anchovies, olive oil, butter, and sometimes cream or truffles), fonduta (dip consisting of melted cheese, milk, eggs and white truffles), panissa (risotto made with Barbera red wine, onions, beans and lardo), tapulon (donkey stew cooked in red wine, garlic, clove and herbs), and torta alla Monferrina (cake made from pumpkin, apples and sugar, with dried figs, amaretti, chocolate, eggs, and rum).
Turin was one of the first cities to produce chocolate after the introduction of cacao from the Americas in the 16th century. Famous chocolatiers that have survived to this day include Caffarel (founded in 1826), Baratti & Milano (1858), and Peyrano (1915). Among the traditional praline-like chocolates, let's cite the Gianduja (a sweet chocolate containing about 30% hazelnut paste), the similar Gianduiotto, and the Cuneese (chocolate custard and rum in a meringue coating covered with dark chocolate; specialty of Cuneo). But Piedmont really reached international fame with the products of the Alba-based chocolate manufacturer Ferrero, notably with the Ferrero Rocher, Mon Chéri, Kinder Surprise, and of course Nutella, the only brand of chocolate spread recognised on every continent.
Attractions
Attractions are listed geographically, from west to east (left to right) and north to south (top to bottom).
The Ducal Castle of Agliè, located in Turin's metropolitan area, stands as a magnificent testament to seven centuries of Italian history. The castle's name possibly derives from the Roman settler Alliacus or the ancient Roman city of Alladium that once stood on its site. This architectural marvel evolved from a 12th-century fortification into an elegant palace boasting 300 rooms filled with precious collections of archaeological finds, oriental artefacts, and ornithological specimens. The castle's transformation began in 1646 under Count Filippo San Martino, and it later became a cherished residence of the House of Savoy after 1764. During World War II, the castle served a crucial role as a secret repository for Turin's museum treasures, including Egyptian antiquities, protecting them from potential German confiscation. Today, visitors can explore its stunning frescoed Ballroom, period rooms, and expansive grounds featuring both Italian and English gardens. The castle has gained contemporary fame as a filming location for various television series, offering visitors a glimpse into both its historical significance and modern cultural relevance.
Saluzzo, a charming medieval town, was originally inhabited by the Celto-Ligurian Salii tribe before being conquered by Roman Consul Marcus Fulvius around 125 BCE. This picturesque hillside city, often called the "Siena of Piedmont", rose to prominence as the capital of an independent marquisate from 1142 to 1548. The town's impressive Castiglia fortress, built between 1271 and 1286, originally featured four towers, a moat, and a drawbridge, and now houses the fascinating Museum of Chivalry. Saluzzo reached its golden age during the 15th century, with its strategic position near Alpine passes making it a crucial trading post. A remarkable testament to this prosperity is the Buco di Viso, the first Alpine tunnel, which connected the town to French territories and boosted trade. Today, visitors can wander through cobbled streets and squares, discovering elegant noble palaces with gardens, while the town maintains its reputation as a centre for antique furniture restoration.
Avigliana
Bardonecchia
Turin, nestled at the foothills of the Alps, boasts a fascinating history spanning over two millennia, beginning as a Celtic settlement called Taurasia. The Romans established the colony of Augusta Taurinorum around 28 BCE, designing the city with their characteristic grid pattern that remarkably still defines Turin's modern street layout. The city features one of the world's best-preserved 1st-century BCE Roman gateways, the Palatine Towers, which originally had four doors - two larger ones for chariots and two smaller ones for pedestrians and horses. The ancient Roman urban planning is still visible in the Quadrilatero Romano district, where the original decumanus maximus (now Via Garibaldi) and cardo maximo (now Via San Tommaso) intersect. After serving various empires and kingdoms throughout history, Turin gained prominence as the first capital of unified Italy from 1861 to 1865. Today, visitors can explore this elegant city's Roman heritage through well-preserved ruins, including sections of the original city walls along Via Giuseppe Barbaroux, while the city's rational structure and grid system serve as a living testament to its Roman origins.
Lake Maggiore, Italy's second-largest lake and the largest alpine lake in the country, spans an impressive 64 kilometres in length and 212 square kilometres in area, straddling the Italian-Swiss border. The lake's crown jewels are the Borromean Islands, featuring the baroque splendour of Isola Bella with its 17th-century palace and terraced gardens, the botanical paradise of Isola Madre with its exotic plant collection, and the charming Isola dei Pescatori, the only permanently inhabited island known for its fishing heritage and local cuisine. The lake's shores are dotted with magnificent Liberty-style palaces and cultural attractions, including the fascinating Landscape Museum in Verbania and some rather unique institutions such as the Hat Museum in Ghiffa and the Umbrella Museum in Gignese. One of the lake's most striking features is the Colossus of St Carlo Borromeo in Arona, standing at an impressive height of over 35 metres, making it one of the world's largest statues. 
Lake Orta, a glacial lake that stretches 13 kilometres in length, is one of northern Italy's smallest yet most pristine lakes. The lake's crystal-clear waters, nestled at 290 metres above sea level and reaching depths of 143 metres, are surrounded by rolling hills and wooded mountains that create a stunning natural backdrop throughout the seasons. The area boasts a rich culinary heritage deeply rooted in Piedmontese traditions, featuring local specialities such as lake-caught perch, porcini mushroom risotto, and renowned regional wines like Nebbiolo and Barbera. The lake's main town, Orta San Giulio, captivated numerous cultural figures throughout history, including Friedrich Nietzsche, who wrote "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" after visiting the area. The region is also known for its industrial heritage, being home to the famous Alessi design factory in Omegna. The lake's pristine waters make it one of Europe's cleanest lakes, perfect for swimming and water sports, while the surrounding area offers extensive hiking trails through unspoiled forests teeming with wildlife such as roe deer, wild boar, and foxes.
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