Rivalta di Torino
Welcome to Rivalta di Torino
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about a small Italian municipality located about 12 km southwest of Turin, in Piedmont. I'm talking about Rivalta di Torino (or Rivàuta as it's called in Piedmontese), a city with a very fascinating history and a vast territory, which I invite you to discover with me.
Territory
Rivalta di Torino is located on the northern bank of the Sangone stream and extends over a rural area that also includes decentralized villages such as Tetti Francesi, Pasta, Gerbole di Rivalta, Tetti Gabriolotti, Dojrone and Tetti Pereno. To the southeast we also find the decentralized San Luigi Gonzaga hospital, which is already under the municipality of Orbassano. The city is surrounded by beautiful Piedmontese countryside and offers many opportunities for those who want to spend time outdoors.
History and toponymy
The name Rivalta derives from the Latin "Ripalta", which means "high bank", and refers to the geographical position of the municipality. The city was founded as a fortified Castrum in the 11th century by noble feudal lords and was sacked in 1176 by the troops of Frederick Barbarossa. Throughout its history, Rivalta di Torino has witnessed numerous changes of ownership, until it became completely autonomous in 1695. In addition to its historical events, the city is also rich in important monuments, such as the Castle of Rivalta di Torino, built around the 11th century, which is definitely worth a visit.
Religion in Rivalta
But that's not all! The history of Rivalta di Torino is also closely linked to religion. In the 12th century, some Augustinian monks began evangelizing the area and the ancient (ex) abbey and two churches, on what are now Santa Croce and Santi Pietro e Andrea, were erected. After several changes of ownership, the abbey was finally transferred to the Cistercian order, which suffered degradation due to the poor care of subsequent commendators. Fortunately, thanks to the subsidies left by the Orsini family and the then Pope Nicholas III, the abbey and the village of Rivalta were preserved and could be restored.
Modern life in Rivalta di Torino
Today, Rivalta di Torino is a very quiet and pleasant town that offers many services to its residents. Sports enthusiasts can practice numerous activities, such as soccer, volleyball, basketball and tennis, thanks to the sports facilities present in the city. Furthermore, Rivalta di Torino is very active in the field of cultural associations and promotes numerous artistic and musical initiatives throughout the year.
Conclusions
Here is a brief overview of the history and territory of Rivalta di Torino. I hope you enjoyed this virtual visit and that you want to discover in person all the wonders that this city has to offer. I wish you a good day and see you next time!
