Discovering the Piedmont Region

Piedmont, Italy’s second-largest region, boasts an exceptionally beautiful countryside dotted with winding rivers, including the iconic Po, and countless lakes, most notably the vast Lago Maggiore. Its mountainous landscape is also home to Gran Paradiso National Park, located northwest of Turin, where visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling, climbing, and skiing amid the protected ecosystems surrounding the Gran Paradiso massif.  

The region has remained quite attached to its rural culture and traditions. It is renowned for quaint Piedmont vineyards and its delicious local products, such as wine, cheese, and truffles amongst others. Most wineries are family-run and welcome visitors for tours and tastings in a friendly atmosphere.

Within the diverse Piedmont region, Turin, Bra, and Alba offer unique perspectives on the Piedmontese experience, from the elegance and history of the regional capital to the rich culinary traditions and renowned wine country of the Langhe.

Turin

Turin, the capital of the Piedmont region,  is an important cultural and business centre, enjoying a strategic position in the north-west of Italy. 

The origin of the city can be traced back to the third Century BC, when Celto-Ligurian tribes settled along the Po River. It was then used by the Romans as a military outpost. In the 19th Century, Turin became the capital city of the Kingdom of Italy. Its perpetual development continued with a rapid industrialisation, notably in the automobile industry. In fact, FIAT is headquartered in Turin!

Today, Turin is renowned for its diverse architecture and vibrant cultural life.  The city is home to numerous impressive Baroque buildings, including the Palazzo Reale, the former residence of the Savoy royal family, whose Royal Library houses Leonardo da Vinci’s famous self-portrait; Palazzo Madama, the former seat of the Senate; and Palazzo Carignano, which once housed the Parliament. Turin is also home to countless fascinating museums, offering plenty to discover for visitors interested in art, history, and culture. 

The breath-taking Turin Cathedral is the major Romantic Church of the city. Overlooking the city, the Basilica of Superga provides a magical view of Turin, with the Alps in the background. There lie the tombs of many of the Dukes of Savoy and Kings of Sardinia, as well as the Turin Shroud, a centuries old linen cloth bearing the image of a crucified man, believed to be Jesus by many.

The old medieval district, the Quadrilatero Romano, has been recently refurbished and is now well-known for its bars and authentic artisanal shops, which give a real taste of the Piedmont lifestyle.

The San Salvario district, south east of the city centre has a lovely park, the Parco del Valentino, with  splendid 17th Century castle Castello del Valentino standing in its heart.

Bra:

50 kilometres south of Turin, in the heart of the Piedmont’s vineyards, sits Bra. Bra is the city of the Slow Food Movement, which promotes traditional and regional cuisine while encouraging sustainable farming. The world’s first University of Gastronomic Sciences’ main campus is located in Bra. The town is a gastronomy lover’s heaven!

Alba:

Perfectly located in the heart of the Piedmont vineyards, Alba is celebrated for its exceptional wines, including Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, Barolo and Moscato. Alba is equally renowned for its prized white truffles and hosts an annual truffle festival celebrating this local delicacy. The town is also home to the Ferrero confectionary group, and Nutella was invented here in the years following the Second World War.