SHOPPING Shopping
If you want to understand the customs, tastes and desires of a people, you should get to know where they shop. Shopping in Piedmont means going to one of the 45 neighbourhood markets, rummaging around in search of curiosities and unique items in antique markets like the one in Cherasco or the historical Balon in Turin, which is written about in Fruttero and Lucentini’s novel, La donna della domenica or ”The Sunday Woman.” You should have a sharp eye out and a lot of time at hand to find the weird and often unique objects at the stands of the flea markets or to find original decorations at the little Christmas markets.
However, markets are but one part in the complex commercial system in Piedmont. There are numerous traditional workshops, such as those of the goldsmiths of in Valenza Po, of the master cabinet makers in Saluzzo, and of the ceramists in Mondovì and Castellamonte as well as of the masters of gastronomy all over the region. Piedmont Region has rewarded the activities of several workshops with its seal of handicraft excellence. Outlet villages, the current development of factory-direct distribution, make up another centre of attraction for avid shoppers in Piedmont. The first outlet in Italy opened in Serravalle in Alessandria Province and hundreds of others have followed. Finally, there are the shopping centres, where going shopping offers people a chance to walk around, drink a coffee, listen to music, and perhaps go to the movies.
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Places
Abbazia di Novalesa
Near the monastery, there are four chapels dedicated to Saint Mary, Saint Salvador, Saint Michael, and the most important one to Saint Eldrado which has two splendid fresco cycles (from the late 11th century) narrating moments from the lives of Saint Eldrado and Saint Nicholas.
Historical Wine Cellars in Canelli
The wine cellars – which hold ancient barrels perfectly lined-up – have brick arches, lowered large round arches connected to each other by tunnels that reach into the layers and strata of earth which have formed over the centuries.
Forte di Vinadio
Requested by Re Carlo Alberto, the Forte (Fort) di Vinadio represents one of the most important examples of military architecture from the Alps. It extends length-wise for 1,200 meters, on three levels, which cover about 10 km of interior passageway.
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People
Alessandro Baricco
"Torino is a place where, in general, things are done with great seriousness and exactness. Even living and dying."
Gianni Farinetti
"I was born in Bra, in the Langhe. I have a true affinity for the countryside. Piemonte is a land rich in moods and history, literary history as well: Arpino, Levi, Ginzburg, and the best loved of all, Beppe Fenoglio – but also many recent writers. In fact, no other Italian city has produced so many beginnings in the last several years as Torino."
Riccardo Scamarcio
"I confess. I have committed the sin of gluttony in Piemonte. Dishes made with Alba truffles are irresistible and are a “must” during my stays in Piemonte."
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