Moncalieri

Welcome to Moncalieri!

Hello everyone! Welcome to Moncalieri, a municipality located in the metropolitan city of Turin in Piedmont, Italy. With a population of over 56,000 residents, Moncalieri is a place of great historical and cultural interest with many attractions for tourists.

Physical Geography

The territory of Moncalieri is divided into three main parts: a hilly area, a middle area, and a flat river area. The middle to high hilly area is characterized by the presence of woods and vegetation and extends up to the "Faro della Vittoria". The middle to low hilly area includes the historic center, the Santa Croce Hospital, and the Moncalieri Castle located halfway up the hill. The flat river area includes a stretch of the right and left hydrographic of the Po River, where the Sangone River flows. The city is crossed by the 45th parallel.

Discover Moncalieri: history, culture and nature in Piedmont.

Climate and Meteorological Observatory

Moncalieri has a typical temperate sub-continental climate, similar to that of Turin. However, it has the advantage of having a historic meteorological observatory located in the tower of the Real Collegio Carlo Alberto. The observatory was established in 1859 by the renowned meteorologist Father Francesco Denza and restored in the 90s with the help of Italian meteorologist Luca Mercalli. Today, it still provides important meteorological data on the metropolitan city of Turin and preserves a historical series of temperatures dating back to 1859, as well as numerous past meteorological instruments.

City of Historical and Cultural Interest

Moncalieri is considered a city of historical and cultural interest, partly due to the presence of the Moncalieri Castle, residence of the House of Savoy, and partly due to the famous Proclamation of Moncalieri, an episode of the Italian Risorgimento. The historic center is rich in points of interest such as the Church of San Francesco da Paola, the Civic Tower, the Church of San Pietro, the Palazzo Comunale, and the Loggia dei Mercanti.

Monuments and Museums

In addition to the Moncalieri Castle, other notable monuments include the Santa Maria della Scala Church and the Mausoleum of King Carlo Alberto. Moncalieri also houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art with a vast collection of ancient art, including paintings, sculptures, and icons. The museum also has a section dedicated to contemporary art and regularly organizes temporary exhibitions.

Annual Events

Moncalieri is famous for its Sant'Isidoro Fair, the patron saint of the city, which takes place every year in April and was established in 1573. The fair consists of a large market that extends throughout the city. In addition, the city organizes the Festival of Piedmontese Culture every year, with art exhibitions, concerts, wine tastings, and a variety of other activities.

Food and Drink

Moncalieri's cuisine is distinguished for its meat-based dishes, with bagna cauda, braised meat, and veal with tuna sauce being particularly famous. The city is also famous for its wines, especially Barolo and Barbaresco. You can find many restaurants and bars where you can taste the local delicacies or simply relax with a glass of wine.

Outdoor Activities

Moncalieri offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, including the Rimembranza Park, the Po Torinese Park, and the Natural Park of Monte dei Cappuccini. These parks offer paths for walking, cycling, and running, as well as picnic areas and children's playgrounds.

We hope that this summary has provided you with a complete overview of Moncalieri. We are confident that the city will fascinate you with its history, tourist attractions, and local traditions. Come visit us!

Ludovica Neri
Wrote by Ludovica Neri
Updated Sunday, Feb 6, 2022