Piedmont (Piemonte) is the second largest region in Italy, located in the northwest of the country bordering France and Switzerland. The region is surrounded by the Alps on three sides, while the Po Valley opens to the east and its central area is divided between hills and plains. Inhabited by Celtic and Ligurian peoples in prehistoric times, it was later conquered by the Romans, who founded many cities in the region. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Piedmont was occupied by various foreign powers such as the Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Lombards, and Franks. In the Late Middle Ages, the area was divided between numerous counties, marches, marquisates, and free comuni. Since the 11th century, the County of Savoy gradually annexed all the territories of Piedmont, and moved its capital to Turin in 1563. The County became a Duchy and later turned into the Kingdom of Sardinia which, after a period of French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, played a pivotal role in the unification of Italy, achieved in 1861. The House of Savoy became the royal family of Italy, with Turin briefly serving as the capital of the new kingdom, and Piedmontese administration shaped the early history of the Italian state. Even though its importance has decreased since then, Piedmont remains one of the main industrial areas in Italy, and it is known for its many historic, cultural, and natural attractions, as well as its popular gastronomic products.
Destinations in Piedmont
Province of Alessandria
Province of Asti
Province of Cuneo
Province of Novara
Metropolitan City of Turin
Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola
Province of Vercelli
Map of Piedmont
