3.3 Regions and countries Piedmont Piedmont is located in the northwest of Italy. As its name says (foot of the mountain), Piedmont is a land of mountains surrounded by the Alps. To the south the landscape is hilly, while the plains of the north are dotted with rice paddies . A bit of history The Romans conquered the region in the 2 century BC. When they left, Piedmont suffered barbarian invasions up to 1046, when it was added to the County of Savoy whose seat was moved to Turin in 1563. The two following centuries were a time of vibrant culture and increasing importance in Europe. During the Risorgimento (19 century) Piedmont contributed to the unification of the Kingdom of Italy, and Turin was the first capital city (1861-1865). At the beginning of the 20 century, Piedmont was a modern region thanks to its car, film and mechanical industries, but after the economic boom of the ‘60s it experienced a decline marked by workers’ struggles and terrorism. Since the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, Piedmont has reinvented itself as an area of high technology, tourism and culture. nd th th What to see : a city boasting a remarkable cultural heritage. Its central palaces and the Royal Residences in the surroundings tell of the importance of the Savoy family in its history. Turin : the Sacred Mountains are masterpieces of religious architecture spread all over the region’s mountain tops of the north-east. Famous abbeys are , one of the most important medieval cultural centres, rich in precious handmade decorated books, and the , the symbolic monument of the region, more than one thousand years old. Religious architecture Novalesa Sacra di San Michele : and are the most sought-after tourist resorts for their picturesque setting , pleasant villages and small islands. Lakes Lake Maggiore Lake Orta What to do Piedmont is an ideal place to enjoy outdoor activities in any season. The welcomes winter sports enthusiasts offering slopes for beginners and experts. Mountains and valleys offer trekking routes and well-equipped mountain shelters in the summer. Tourists can also choose from a variety of outdoor summer activities like cycling, river rafting and water sports on the lakes’ shores. In the and (UNESCO Heritage sites) regions, wine trails through hilly landscapes are full of farms and wineries to taste local produce, and the spa resorts of and offer treatments for a reviving holiday. Susa Valley Langhe Monferrato Acqui Terme Vinadio GLOSSARY : : : : : : : : : : barracks caserma dotted with costellato da estate proprietà rice paddy risaia setting ambientazione shelter rifugio slope pista sought-after ambito winery azienda vinicola to wipe out cancellare