Visit Saluzzo
Saluzzo is a small town in the province of Cuneo; it has kept intact the Old Town (15th century), located on the hill and it was originally enclosed by a double ring of walls. The village is a whole series of cobbled streets, steep staircases, churches and elegant palaces.
From the “Piazza Risorgimento”, your visit to Saluzzo can start from the Cathedral of the Assumption, built between 1491 and 1511 on the site of the ancient church of Santa Maria; inside there are various works of art including a wooden 14th century crucifix, the Baroque altar by Carlo Giuseppe Plura [1665-1737 approx.], a triptych by Hans Clemer in the chapel of the “Santissimo” (XV century); and a terracotta group depicting the "Deposition" of the sixteenth century.
Passing through the S.Mary Gate and the street called Portici Scur we reach the square of “Mondagli”, one of the most picturesque corners of Saluzzo old town. Here you can see the Public Library, Monastery of the Annunciation and the house, with some distinctive medieval arcades, where the writer Silvio Pellico was born. From there, with a rapid ascent from the pillar representing “St. Chiaffredo”, the city's patron, and across the “Muletti” and “Valoria Superiore” streets we reach the “Ascent to the Castle”, the old center of social and economic life of the Marquisate, with elegant 15th century palaces, marked by open galleries, arcades, frescoes and terracotta decorations of the ancient “Zecca” and “Palazzo Comunale”, and dominated by the square tower, built in 1462 as a symbol of the city community.
An especially notable attraction of the medieval town is the Piazza Castello, with the historic fountain, called “Drancia”, at the center, and topped by the imposing shape of the tower of the Castiglia; and the lower castle of the Marquis, called Castiglia, built in 1270 by Marquis Tommaso I (1239-1296) at the summit of the village. It was radically renovated in 1492 by Ludovico II, for the arrival of his second wife Marguerite de Foix (1458-1486); he renewed the furniture and decorations and he added the garden and the round tower. It was used as a prison from the early 19th century until 1992.
Also worth visiting is the Civic Tower in Saluzzo, built in 1462 as a symbol of the city community. The height was later raised by the addition of the polygonal point topped by the spire with the emblem of Saluzzo, the vane and an eagle. Inside there was the bell that marked the hours of city life. At 48 meters high, the loggia is an excellent vantage point over the city and the plains. The Church of St. John (12th – 16th century) contains treasures of art in three beautiful aisles, culminating with the burial chapel of the Marquis, a masterpiece of the flamboyant Gothic style (second half 15th century). From the annexed convent, dominated by the bell tower, we continue to the refectory, in which is found the great sixteenth-century fresco of the Crucifixion, and to the Chapter room containing the Funeral chapel of the Cavassa, built around 1510.
Continuing towards “Via San Giovanni”, we arrive at the “Cavassa Home”, today a Museum and once the stately house of Francesco and Galeazzo Cavassa (15th century), the general vicars of the Marquis. Restored at the end of 19th century, it presents a series of rooms with painted wooden ceilings, walls and furniture decorated, frescoes and paintings, including the "Madonna of Mercy", a masterpiece by Hans Clemer (1480-1512).
Next to Cavassa Home, there is the palace of the Marquis of the Carretto, where we can admire the panorama of the “Monte Viso”. Nearby is the church of S. Bernard (XIV-XVI century) from which we reach “Griselda” Street, dedicated to the protagonist of a story of the "Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375). The road, flanked with eighteenth-century buildings, leads to the town hall, built in 1726 as a Jesuit college by Francesco Gallo. In “San Nicola” Street there is the church of St. Nicholas and the Brotherhood of Mercy (also known as "Black Cross"), built in 1761 in Baroque style, with brick façade, a double row of columns.
Also to visit near Saluzzo is the medieval Staffarda Abbey.
Finally, a brief mention of the cuisine of Saluzzo, which proposes a number of interesting local products, including some cheeses such as the so-called "paglierine", and cheeses from the Alps. Among the most popular meat, note those of Cavour and the "white hen" of Saluzzo, and, finally, for a good meal with sweets, we have to mention "Batiaje", the "Losette" and "Risole." As for wines, try the red wines "Pelaverga", "Quaglia", "Nebbiolo" and "Barbera".
See also history of Saluzzo