Savigliano

Welcome to Savigliano, a town rich in history and culture

Hello everyone! Today I'll be talking about Savigliano, an Italian town with a population of 21,705 located in the province of Cuneo, in Piedmont.

Where is Savigliano located and what is its climate like

Savigliano is located 50 km south of Turin and 35 km north of Cuneo, between the Maira and Grana-Mellea streams. Its climate is of a sub-continental temperate type, with cold winters (with average temperatures ranging from -2°C to 5°C) and hot summers (with average temperatures ranging from 17°C to 27°C). Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but mostly concentrates in spring and autumn. In summer, periods of hot weather alternating with refreshing thunderstorms can be experienced.

Savigliano: history, art and culture in the heart of Piedmont.

The history of Savigliano

Savigliano has a rich and interesting history, starting with the presence of the Celtic-Ligurian populations and Roman domination, as evidenced by numerous archaeological findings. Its name derives from the toponym ''Salvianum'', used by the ancient Romans. Savigliano was then a free town, adopting in its civic emblem a red cross on a silver field and the motto ''"Fidelis Deo et hominibus"''.

Due to its geographical location, Savigliano was often involved in disputes with the Marquisate of Saluzzo, later following the events of Casa Savoia and undergoing French domination for long periods. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was the provincial capital and an important military stronghold, enjoying a period of great artistic and cultural flourishing that led to the birth of the Saviglianese school of painting. The local nobility built late mannerist or Baroque palaces and villas, while convents and monasteries updated their churches and cloisters.

With the demolition of the fortified walls, Savigliano lost its military importance and prestige. After the French occupation of 1798, the town became part of the Department of Stura, seat of a sub-prefecture until 1814. In the 19th century, under the rule of Trossarello, the city regained its role as an important textile and mechanical manufacturing center, also thanks to the arrival of the railway in 1853.

The artistic heritage of Savigliano's historical center

The historical center of Savigliano is rich in cultural and artistic heritage, reflecting its thousand-year-old history. The city can be defined as a true open-air museum: monuments and historic buildings, churches, and museums can be admired. Among the main tourist attractions, the Chapel of the Sisters of Jesus, considered the main work of Piedmontese Baroque, deserves a mention. The chapel was built in the 17th century by the nuns in two years of intense work and represents an example of great compositional harmony. In the same area is the Taffini d'Acceglio Palace, an 18th-century Baroque building that houses the Archaeological, Art and Local History Civic Museum.

Events and traditions of Savigliano

Savigliano breathes an atmosphere of tradition and culture, which is mainly manifested in the events that take place throughout the year. One of the most important events is the San Giuseppe Fair, which falls on March 19 and where typical local food products and various crafts can be found. During the summer, the Madonna dei Boschi Festival is held, a celebration that honors the image of the Virgin dating back to the time of the 17th-century plague, and that still receives great devotion from the faithful today.

Nightlife and cuisine

Savigliano also offers many opportunities for entertainment, such as bars, pubs, and nightclubs. The city is famous for its cuisine, with typical dishes such as tomini, salami, and bagna cauda. The restaurants and taverns in the center offer traditional and high-quality menus, using only fresh seasonal products.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Savigliano is a city with many facets, rich in history, culture and tradition, offering visitors the opportunity to get to know the beauties of Piedmont up close. I hope I have piqued your interest and made you want to visit this truly special town!

Irene Mariani
Wrote by Irene Mariani
Updated Friday, Jul 15, 2022