Ala del Mercato

the first stop on a discovery of the homonymous province should be cuneo itself, surrounded by the snow-covered alps and dominated by the torre civica. ?piazza galimberti, a vast, central square, is the point of departure for a visit to cuneo vecchia (or old cuneo) with its arcades, lanes and monuments: the cathedral, the former church of st. francis and the civic museum. 

a land of traditions and culture, it boasts many of the residences of savoy, works of immense architectural importance surrounded by wonderful parks and listed as unesco world heritage sites: the royal castle of racconigi, an imposing building realized in different styles; the castle of pollenzo in the municipality of bra; the castle of govone boasting its rich décor and fine wooden furniture; and finally, the savoy residence of valcasotto in the municipality of garessio.

archaeological sites dating back to the roman era are definitely worth a visit, including the excavation of augusta bagiennorum and the ruins of ancient pollentia, including remains of the theatre and amphitheatre. 

along the ancient medieval pilgrimage routes, the via francigena and the way of santiago, are many artistic and religious relics. the most famous are: the shrines of san magno in grana valley, of sant?anna di vinadio and of the madonna of the woods in boves. 

sites of great spiritual dot the landscape, for instance the imposing abbey of staffarda, one of the most important medieval monuments of piedmont; and the carthusian monastery (certosa) of pesio.

saluzzo is known as the 'siena of piedmont? for its monuments that date back to the middle ages and the renaissance; they are testaments to its historic role as an important marquisate. 

other important sites are alba, the medieval ?town of a hundred towers? in the tanaro river valley, and home to the precious white truffle; bra, renowned for its carnival mask production; and dronero, a summer resort of exemplary architecture. 

an exciting trek through the hills reveals ancient manors, including the castle of grinzane cavour, former residence of camillo benso and one of the most evocative buildings of the langhe; and the castles of cherasco, manta and acaja di fossano, possessing an ancient drawbridge that still functions today. finally, piasco is home to the victor salvi harp museum and its fascinating collection of harps.