Piedmont History

The name of the region derives from the Medieval Latin term Pedemontium, which means "at the foot of the mountains." Piedmont is aptly named as it lies at the foot of the Alps and has a culture and dialect that is closer to parts of France than other parts of Italy. It is bordered by France and Switzerland as well as the Italian regions of Liguria, Valle d'Aosta and Lombardy. The area occupies the plain of the Po River valley and produces much of the wheat and rice for the country in the area of Novara and Vercelli.

This region was once the home of the Ligurian peoples and later the Gauls before being absorbed by the expanding Roman republic. After the fall of the Empire, the area was divided up by warring feudal lords before the slow consolidation of the region by the House of Savoy starting in the 11th century. This region faced the wrath of Frederick Barbarossa as a member of the Lombard League in their face off against the Holy Roman Emperor. By the 16th century the Savoy family had barely managed to escape extinction by wars and intrigue, only to emerge as the rulers of Piedmont. Their holdings were to include Sicily and later Sardinia on their way toward the Risorgimento and the creation of the Kingdom of Italy. In many ways, the history of the Piedmonte is the history of modern nation of Italy

This region is not only an agricultural center but an industrial one as well. Piedmont and its capital of Turin is an industrial powerhouse that has young men from other regions of Italy flocking to work in its manufacturing and chemical plants. The city of Turin is also the capital of Italian engineering and its southern suburbs the home to automobile manufacturers Fiat and Lancia.

Turin
Modern Turin is proud of its past but not obsessed with it like some places that rely on tourism. However, the city of Turin does have a rich past as home to the House of Savoy. Turin is still home to the noble house's greatest treasure, the Shroud of Turin. Car enthusiasts should visit the impressive automobile museum.  Turin is a great place to visit since it has a little bit of everything: Shopping, cars, history, religion and pleasant open spaces. All of this accentuated by delicious regional foods, mountain views and an unexcelled wine industry. The city can be seen in a day-trip or as a base for a larger tour of the Piedmont region.

Alba
Alba is a charming medieval city with old houses and stone towers known for its excellent wine. The city is in the heart of white truffle country and each fall truffle lovers the world over converge on the town for its annual truffle fair. Alba is also home to wine favorites such as Barolo and Barbesco. To the south of the town are the chalk and clay hills of the Langhe, covered in vines and oaks. A view from this area explains the culinary gifts that nature has bestowed upon Alba.

Asti
Asti is another town that has retained its medieval appearance of red bricks and yellow limestone. Despite local industry, Asti is still mainly an agricultural center and today is best known for the sparkling white wine of the same name as well as many other culinary specialties. Asti Spumante, the regional sparkling white wine is complemented by a locally made red that is equally deserving of praise. Barbera d'Asti is the finest of this regional wine which is made across Piedmont. A local goat cheese called robiola is served with a unique mustard sauce, often with truffle-stuffed Salami.

Regional Festivals
Alba - Truffle festival in October
Asti - Carnivale in February
Festivals of Festivals in September
Palio Horse Race (it predates the race in Siena) takes place every September.
White truffle festival in November
Ivrea- An Historic carnival and the "Battle of the Oranges".
Maranzana - Festa dello Spumante (Sparkling wine festival) in August.