Textiles
An endless woollen thread, winding round and round the globe, transforming it into one huge ball of yarn. This is the image that the textile manufacturers of Piedmont could choose to represent their industry to the world.
Biella, one of the major centres of wool textile production on the planet, is the smallest of the Piedmont provinces. Thanks to its strategic location, its abundant water resources and sunny climate, over the years Biella has achieved a prestigious position in the international markets. This dominance is the result of the superlative quality of its fabrics, its openness to new technologies and design, dedication to perfection in the smallest details and the classic simplicity of the timeless Biella style.
80% of the cashmere in the world is woven in Biella; of this 50% is exported. 1,300 wool mills employ 25,000 workers, for a turnover of 4 billion euros.
Outside Biella, another major producer of textiles in Piedmont is the Miroglio Group in Alba, in the province of Cuneo; with around 15 brands, it is a formidable presence on the world market. Sports clothing and casual wear are produced right in the city of Turin by the BasicNet Group, who own the brand names of Robe di Kappa, Jesus Jeans, K-Way and Superga.
Just outside Turin, the town of Chieri has been famed for its woven fabrics since the 13th century. Particularly well known was a hardwearing blue material, in great demand for export markets, and shipped overseas from Genoa. In fact, the fabric is thought to have taken its name “jean” from the name of the port of origin. Today Chieri province produces household linens, furnishing fabrics, curtains and decorative trims and braids. And finally, how much of the inimitable class of Humphrey Bogart and Jean-Paul Belmondo was owed to the stylish hats that were their signature: the Borsalino. Created in 1857 in Alessandria by Giuseppe Borsalino, it is now famous all over the world. Achieving excellence in so many areas, Piedmont is certainly a key player on the world stage of textile production.
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Places
Sacro Monte di Crea
Built at the end of the 1500’s, the Sacro Monte di Crea has 23 chapels and 5 hermitages scattered throughout the woods and connected to each other by paths. The chapels narrate the life of the Virgin Mary and house extraordinary life-size statuary groups.
Castello di Mazzè
In the ancient underground parts of the medieval castle is the Museo della Tortura (Museum of Torture): tools and methods from the Holy Inquisition. The building is surrounded by a large park with a scenic view looking out over the Canavese.
Palaisozaki
It is the new Torino Olympic Palasport (Sports Arena) designed by the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki for the Winter Olympics in Torino 2006. A multi-functional space, versatile and flexible which, thanks to the mobility of its platform, can turn from an ice rink into a concert, show, or convention venue.
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People
Bruno Gambarotta
"For the people of Torino, I was a ‘pacu’, a little peasant…I came from Asti where my father was a typesetter. After the flood of 1949, we moved to Torino. I only spoke the dialect from Asti and I wore zouave-style pants. I got back at them by becoming the best student in class".
Mario Brunello
“Torino has a special karma when it comes to music. The audience here in Torino takes a little more time to decide compared to others. It seems like they are waiting, as if they don’t want to invade the field. This is because they treat artists like people, not like celebrities. They make you feel important because of what you have to say with finesse. This is a very courteous way to make you feel at home.”
Gerard Roero Di Cortanze
“There must be a psychoanalytic bond between Torino, Piemonte and myself. Every time I come to town, I feel at home, as if the doors to my own house were being re-opened. I have never lived in this city. Every time I’m here it is as if I put my foot on the fog of a ghost, face to face with my past. Torino is my imaginary life, a double retrospect, a flashback…”
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