Ivrea
Ivrea: the capital of Canavese
Ivrea, also known as ''Ivreja'' in Piedmontese, ''Invreja'' in Canavese dialect, ''Ivreya'' in Valdostan patois, ''Eebri'' in the Walser language variant ''Töitschu'' and ''Ivrée'' in the French language, is an Italian municipality of 23,657 inhabitants, located in the metropolitan city of Turin in Piedmont. It is considered "the capital of Canavese". In 2018, the municipality was included in the world heritage as the 54th Italian site, and on February 16, 2022, it was named by the Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini as the Italian capital of the book for 2022.
Physical geography
Territory
Ivrea offers panoramic views of the landscape with morainic hills surrounding it, making it the largest in Italy, the Ivrea moraine ridge, which is approximately 25 km long, separating it from the Province of Biella. Born from a Pleistocene glacier, Ivrea is located at an altitude of about 267 m above sea level and is crossed by the Dora Baltea river, a tributary of the Po.
The Ivrea area has been formed by numerous debris brought by the glacier over time, including five moraine lakes surrounding the city, namely Lake Sirio, Lake San Michele (towards Chiaverano), Lake Pistono in Montalto Dora, Lake Nero (Canavese), between Montalto Dora and Borgofranco d'Ivrea and Lake Campagna in Cascinette d'Ivrea. Nearby are also Lake Viverone, on the border with the Province of Biella, and Lake Candia in the low Canavese.
Ivrea is a strategic road junction that allows you to reach various places in Piedmont, including Valchiusella, the Valle d'Aosta region, Vercelli, and Milan. The historic center is located on a hill that can be reached through the Ivrea Castle and the Ivrea Cathedral, while the modern part of the city extends in the plains, occupying both banks of the Dora Baltea river and the surrounding territories.
Neighborhoods and villages
Ivrea is divided into 26 neighborhoods and districts, including San Grato, Canton Vesco, Canton Vigna, La Sacca, Bellavista (Ivrea), Via Miniere-Via Jervis, Porta Torino-Stazione-Movicentro-Via Dora Baltea area, Borghetto, Historic Center, Crist, Porta Aosta-Sant'Antonio, San Pietro Martire, Via Sant'Ulderico, Lake Sirio, Prafagiolo, Canton Gabriel, Lake San Michele, Montodo-Monte della Guardia, Porta Vercelli, San Lorenzo, La Fiorana, San Giovanni, Canton Gillio, La Fornace, Torre Balfredo, and San Bernardo (Ivrea).
Culture and history
History
Ivrea has a long history dating back to prehistory and the Bronze Age. Starting from the Roman period, the area was an important commercial center that allowed access to the Valle d'Aosta. In the Middle Ages, Ivrea became an important religious and political center in the Kingdom of Italy. It is here that Carlo Emanuele III of Savoy built his castle, an important symbol of the city.
Traditions and celebrations
Ivrea has many traditions and celebrations, including the Ivrea Carnival, famous for its orange battle, which takes place every year in February and attracts thousands of visitors. It is said that the orange battle is the result of a revolt against a tyrant, during which the population used oranges to defend itself.
Museums, art galleries, and libraries
Ivrea houses several museums, including the Civic Museum P.A. Garda, which offers a collection of local art and crafts, the Museum of Olivetti Art, dedicated to the history of Olivetti, and the Thesauro, a modern and contemporary art gallery. The city also has a municipal library and a university library, the Carlo Botta Library, which contains over 200,000 volumes.
Carlo Botta Library
The Carlo Botta Library is a large university library located in the former San Francesco convent. Founded in 1802, the library contains a vast archive of ancient and modern books, including first editions, rare works, and manuscripts. The Carlo Botta Library also offers a wide range of services, including book loans and access to various databases.
Economy
Olivetti
Ivrea has long been the center of Italian industry, thanks to the presence of Olivetti. Founded by Camillo Olivetti in 1908, the company was a significant producer of typewriters, calculators, and computers. The headquarters of Olivetti is still located in Ivrea and has recently been renovated and redeveloped for cultural purposes.
Other industries
In addition to Olivetti, Ivrea houses some important industries in the information technology and telecommunications sector, including Telecom Italia and, more recently, Xiaomi.
Cuisine and local products
Ivrea and Canavese are known for their typical products, such as Funghetto bread, torcetto, a sweet pasta shaped like a donut, and Montalto Dora potatoes. Among the typical dishes are bagna cauda, Piedmontese risotto, and polenta concia.
Conclusions
Ivrea is a historical and cultural city, with a strong local identity and a characteristic landscape made up of morainic hills and lakes. The city is known for its traditions, including the famous Ivrea Carnival, and for its important role played in Italian industry thanks to the presence of Olivetti. The Carlo Botta Library and the Museum of Olivetti Art are just some of the cultural institutions that Ivrea boasts and are worth a visit. Finally, the typical Piedmontese products offered in the city have a great reputation and are appreciated worldwide.
