Cities
Moncalieri (TO)
Ever since 1649, the period when it began to expand and develop, Moncalieri has been known as a real city. It is famous for many well-known traditions, which are still popular today, such as the Fiera del Bue Grasso and the Fiera dij sujijet – the large Friday morning market started by Amedeo V in 1286. It is a city rich in monuments, churches and it has a beautiful panorama of the surrounding hills. As the centuries went by, however, Moncalieri’s industrial vocation became clearer and clearer. In the seventeenth century bicycle and match factories were started and the Limone Foundery was built near the Sangone River. The ex-foundry, which was closed at the end of the 1970s, was recently the object of an important restoration effort which transformed it into a factory and breeding ground for art and special events, thanks to the support of the Fondazione Teatro Stabile di Torino. In the 20th century, Moncalieri continued to expand and now occupies a vast area, including many separate towns like Revigliasco and Testona. In these outlying areas there are many important industries in the field of automobile prototypes, industrial design, printing and graphic design. However, in spite of this recent development, Moncalieri’s historic centre remains a strong witness of its history ever since the Middle Ages. There is the old Piazza Maggiore, with arcades on three sides, the Collegiata di Santa Maria della Scala, the Chiesa di San Francesco, the Real Collegio Carlo Alberto, the Porta Navina and the Castello Reale, which overlooks the city and was declared part of Unesco’s Heritage of Humanity in 1997. The base of the imposing structure dates back to the 11th century, but the current layout of the building is of the 16th century. It was the home and “sede di delizia” of royalty. It was here that Vittorio Emanuele II emanated the “Proclama di Moncalieri” in 1849, an historic act which dissolved the House of Deputies.
Info
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II - 10024 Moncalieri (To)
Tel.: +39.011 6401411 - Fax: +39.011 641246
E-mail: infocomune@comune.moncalieri.to.it
www.comune.moncalieri.to.it
