One of the most important pilgrimage sites in Italy are the Sacri Monti, or Sacred Mountains, that are located in the northern part of the country. These mountains are actually nine groups of churches and chapels created in the 16th and 17th centuries. Along with their religious significance these structures are also noteworthy for their architectural features and wealth of amazing art. For these reasons the Sacri Monti were named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003.
Gran Paradiso National Park was the first of its kind in Italy and remains one of the best known. Filled with majestic mountains and valleys, as well as a variety of vegetation and animal life, the park in the Graian Alps is certainly something to experience. The park’s lowest valley is at 800 meters above sea level while its highest peak, which belongs to Gran Paradiso Mountain, is over 4,000 meters high. If you take a trip to Gran Paradiso you will experience gorgeous alpine grasslands, glaciers and unique rock formations that won’t soon be forgotten.
The region of Piedmont in Italy is spread over an area of 25,399 sq km and has a population of around 4.4 million. The region is surrounded by Alps on three sides. It shares a border with France and Switzerland the regions of Aosta Valley, Liguria and Lombardy. The region has quite fertile land, because of which agriculture in the region is of high quality.
Emmanuel Philibert, the Duke of Savoy moved his capital to Turin in the year 1562. He then began a large project of a series of buildings and palaces to prove his power of ruling. These outstanding buildings had been designed and decorated by some of the best known artists of that era and radiated into the outskirts of Turin. The complex also includes various country homes and hunting lodges.
Some of the best known Royal Houses from this complex which have been included in the world heritage list are as given below:
Varallo is a comune and a small town located in Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Vercelli. The town is commonly called Varallo Sesia and is located in Valsesia region at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. Varallo is located close to the city of Vercelli and was once known are Varade.
The town itself is divided into two different boroughs by a stream. Varallo is spread over an area of 87 sq km and has a population of close to 7500. Varallo was given a golden medal for military value in the year 1971 for its bravery against the Germans in World War II.
Neive is a small comune and town located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Cueno. The town is located close to the cities of Cuneo and Turin. Neive is spread over an area of 21.2 sq km and has a population of approximately 3000. Neive is basically famous for its wine producing region and there are several vineyards located close to the town.
The town does not attract many visitors except for those who are interested in wine. Because of the rise in agritourism in the recent years, quite a lot people now come to Neive to experience rural Italian village lifestyle.
Santa Maria Maggiore is a small village and a commune located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The village is located 25 km from Verbania and 130 km away from the city of Turin. Santa Maria Maggiore is located on the border of Switzerland. The village is quite small, with an area of 53 sq km and a population of close to 1200.
Cherasco is a small commune and town located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Cuneo. Cherasco is located close to the cities of Turin and Cueno. The town is spread over an area of 81 sq km and has a population of close to 7600.
The town has still retained its medieval essence with its old buildings and monuments. Cherasco does not attract many visitors but due to the rise in agritourism in Italy, there are a few people who visit the town to experience the relaxed village like atmosphere in Cherasco. The economy of the town is based mainly on agricultural activities and on the production of wine.
Bene Vagienna is a small town and commune located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Cuneo. The medieval town is located close to the cities of Turin and Cuneo. The town is spread over an area of 48 sq km and has a population of close to 3500. The town has several narrow cobblestoned streets, charming old houses, porticos and small piazzas that can transport visitors back in time.
The history of the town goes back to the period of Augustus, when the town was an important part of the Gaul territories. Bene Vagienna has several old churches and ancient monuments which have been well preserved over the years.
Alagna Valsesia is a village and a small commune located in Piedmont, Italy in the province of Vercelli. The village is located on the Val Grande Mountain in the Valley of Valsesia alpine. Alagna Valsesia is located at an altitude of 1152 meters and is a popular tourist destination for winter sports, skiing and mountaineering.
The village is spread over an area of 72 sq km and has a population of only 432. The village was originally settled by Walser and is located just south of Monte Rosa. Due to its fantastic ski slopes and its natural beauty, the village attracts several tourists each year.
Mergozzo is a small commune and town located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The town is located close to the cities of Verbania and Turin. Mergazzo is spread over an area of 27 sq km and has a population of approximately 2000. The economy of the town is based mainly on tourism that the Lake Mergozza attracts, all of which falls within the commune.
Macugnaga is a small mountain village located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. The village is located along the Anzasca valley in the Monte Rosa mountain range. The village was first inhabited by the Walser, which are German natives belonging to the Swiss Canton Wallis.
The area is generally famous for winter sports, skiing and hiking and mountaineering activities in summer. The village is also famous for its mine. Macugnaga is located at an altitude of 1324 meters above sea level; it is spread over an area of 98 sq km and has a population of only 650 people.
Candelo is a small comune and town located in the Piedmont region of Italy in the province of Biella. The town is located close to Turin and Biella and does not attract many tourists. Due to its medieval nature and its village like atmosphere it has become a center for agritourism in the recent years.
Barolo is a small town located in the Piedmont region in Italy in the famous wine producing region of Langhe. The town is famous for its many vineyards and its many varieties of red wine which are made from the nebbiolo grape. Barolo is located in the Cuneo province and it can only be called a village.
Novara is the capital city of the province of Novara. It is located in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy. It population density of a little over 100,000 makes it the second most populous city in Piedmont after Turin and the second largest urban area of the Piedmont region with 190,000 inhabitants. It is a central crossroad for commercial traffic among the routes from Milan to Turin and from Genoa to Switzerland. Novara lies between the Agogna and Terdoppio Rivers in northeastern Piedmont some 38 km from Milan and 95 km from Turin.
There are many stories of travelers who spend their time viewing Europe at their own speed, through hostels, hiking, biking and rail. Keeping their own pace, rather than one of an organized tour they tend to see their experiences a little differently than others. Many locations take on a different flair when seen through these eyes. Many different locations are usually seen, as well, through this mode of transportation. Italy has been seen this way, too, and its many regions present the perfect opportunity for different types of travel.
The Piedmont region is a collection of different landscapes and, to a certain extent, slightly different cultures, as well. Bordering France and Switzerland, it offers the Alps as well as plains and hills that provide the perfect environment for some of the world's best wines. Its proximity to two different countries also provides for some language differences. The main local dialect is Piedmontese, although Franco-Provencal and Occitan are also spoken here. Not known by many, but Occitan is spoken also in Monaco, France, and the Aran Valley of Spain. So, Piedmont, strictly translated as "at the foot of the mountain"
The romance languages have long been thought of as beautiful languages to speak. Vowels roll off of the tongue in ways that make the words come out in song rather than in prose, or so it seems. The nouns used in these languages are no different. Persons, things and especially places come alive when said out loud. As we travel around the Italian peninsula we find no shortage of cities and towns with names and cultures that make these images come to life. The town of Alessandria is one such place. The name is as beautiful as its culture.
