The Piedmont region is a large region in northwestern Italy. the region borders Switzerland to the north and France to the west. Furthermore, the region borders on Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Valle d’Aosta. The region can be divided geographically into three parts: the Alpine region in the north, the Po Valley and the hilly landscape in the south-east. To the north is the mountain Grenzgipfel which at 4609 meters is the highest mountain in the region and the second highest in Italy. This mountain is located on the border with Switzerland. Because Piedmont is largely formed by the Alps, there are many winter sports areas in the region. The 2006 winter games were held here in the Turin region. The main tourist attraction of the area is Lake Maggiore. The capital and main city of the region is Turin.
Top 10 sights of Piedmont
#1. Lake Maggiore
According to Securitypology, Lake Maggiore is without doubt the main tourist attraction of the Piedmont region. Still, the region has to share Lake Maggiore with the Lombardy region and Switzerland. However, the most famous tourist places are located on the western shore of the lake and this part belongs to Piedmont. With tourist attractions such as Baveno, Stresa, Verbania, Cannero and Canobio, there is always something to do at this part of the lake. Along the lake you will find some beautifully landscaped sandy beaches where you can enjoy the lake in the summer months. Ferry services to the Borromean Islands depart from various places on Lake Maggiore.
#2. Turin
Turin is the largest city of the Piedmont region, it is also the capital of this region. It is an ancient city that has been inhabited since before the era. However, the growth of the city only started in the Middle Ages after a university was built in the city. This beautiful university, the Università degli Studi di Torino can still be visited in the city. Other places of interest in the city are Turin Cathedral, the Basilica of Superga on the hill of the same name, Maria-Hilf-Basilika, the Royal Palace of Turin, which can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List and of course the Mole Antonelliana, the symbol of the city.
#3. Lake Orta
Lake Orta is the second largest lake in the Piedmont region after Lake Maggiore. The lake is part of the provinces of Novara and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. In the lake is a large inhabited island Isola San Guilio. This island can be reached by ferry that departs from Orta San Giulio. This is also the main tourist village that can be found on the lake. Lake Orta is surrounded by several large mountains, of which the Mottarone is the largest at 1491 meters. The water from Lake Orta leaves the lake on the east side via the Nigoglia and the Strona and finally ends up in Lake Maggiore. The largest town on the lake is Omegna.
#4. alba
Alba is a small town in the southern part of the Piedmont region in the province of Cuneo on the Tanaro River. The city is surrounded by vineyards. The wines from the Alba area are among the best wines in Italy. Several types of red and white wine are produced in the region, but the region is mainly known for its red wine. Of these, the Barolo and the Barbaresco are the best known. In addition to the wines, Alba is known for its white truffles. A large truffle fair is held here every year. Places of interest in the town are the Palazzo Comunale, the fourteenth and fifteenth century towers, the Cathedral of Alba.
#5. Acqui Terme
Acqui Terme is a small town in the province of Alessandria in the southeastern part of the Piedmont region. the city was destroyed by the Romans in the second century BC and rebuilt. Acqui Terme was in this period one of the thermal baths of the Roman Empire. Near the town there are still three thermal springs “Bollente”, “Del Lago” and Acqua marcia”. Just outside the town, remains of a Roman aqueduct from the second century BC can still be found. In addition to the thermal springs, the cathedral from Acqui and the Castello dei Paleologi Partly thanks to its thermal baths, Acqui Terme is still a popular tourist destination in Piedmont.
#6. Gran Paradiso
National Park The Gran Paradiso National Park is the oldest national park in Italy. Grand Paradiso can be found in the northern part of the Piedmont region in the Graian Alps. The park is named after the highest peak in this region, the Gran Paradiso mountain. This mountain is 4061 meters high and is the highest mountain in its entirety in Italy. There are several beautiful hiking trails in the area. There are hiking trails here that are suitable for the recreational hiker, but also for the more experienced hiker. Alpine ibex and chamois live in the area.
#7. Borromean Islands
The Borromean Islands can be found in Lake Maggiore and are fairly easy to reach by ferry or water taxi from Stresa or one of the other towns on Lake Maggiore. The archipelago consists of several small islands, three of which are permanently open to the public. These are Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori. The first two islands are still privately owned by the Borromeo family, who still stay here for a few weeks a year. The islands are known for their beautiful botanical gardens and their beautiful baroque palaces. To visit the islands you have to pay an entrance fee.
#8. Sacro Monte di Oropa
Sacro Monte di Oropa or the Holy Mountain of Oropa is a Marian shrine dedicated to the Black Madonna. The complex is located a few kilometers north of the town of Biella and is nestled between mountains that form a natural amphitheater here. The sanctuary contains, next to a Holy Mountain the “Sacro Monte of Oropa”, a church built on the remains of an old chapel. This sanctuary, together with eight other sanctuaries, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name of the Sacred Mountains (Sacre Monti) of Piedmont and Lombardy.
#9. Susa
Susa is a beautiful village in the western part of the Piedmont region not far from the French border. The village is located at the confluence of the Cenicha and Dora Riparia rivers at the foot of the Cottian Alps. The village was founded in the first century BC by Gauls, later Susa fell into Roman hands. Susa has long been an important traffic hub. It is one of the oldest places in the Alps. Susa’s sights include the Susa Cathedral, the Castle of Adelheid of Susa and the Arco di Augusto.
#10. Sestriere
The village of Sestriere is one of the most famous ski areas in Piedmont. During the 2006 Turin Winter Games, the ski slopes of the village hosted the Alpine skiing competitions. The two main ski complexes during the games were the Sestriere Borgata and the Sestriere Colle. Today, more than a hundred kilometers of ski slopes can be found near the village. The different slopes are connected by chair lifts and cable cars. Sestriere has also been the finishing place of both the Tour of Italy and the Tour de France several times.
