SALUZZO
Unveiling the Secrets of Saluzzo on a Tour of the Piedmont Region
Embark on a captivating tour through Saluzzo, Savigliano, Castello della Manta, and Staffarda Abbey and unravel the hidden gems of medieval Piedmont, at the foot of the western Alps.
With medieval architecture like the Castiglia, the Palace of Liberal Arts, and the tall Civic Tower waiting to be explored, a tour of Saluzzo is a journey back in time.
From strolling through ancient cobblestone streets to savoring the local cheeses like Castelmagno and Tumin del Mel, each moment in Saluzzo and in the surrounding alpine valleys promises to be a delightful discovery.
Our tour guides are ready to be your compass as we navigate the winding alleys and centuries-old buildings that whisper tales of a bygone era.
Get ready to uncover the secrets of Saluzzo’s Casa Cavassa boasting works by the master Hans Clemer and step inside the Castello della Manta, Staffarda Abbey or explore the streets of Savigliano, great day trips within a short drive.
Saluzzo’s History and Culture
Saluzzo’s rich tapestry of history is woven through its ancient streets and buildings, reflecting a past marked by noble families, cultural exchanges, and significant events in Piedmont’s historical background.
This charming town, once the capital of the Marquisate of Saluzzo, flourished during the Middle Ages when the town was the seat of a dynasty of fourteen marquises.
Such a dynasty maintained close ties with neighboring France and kept the Piedmont region under pressure for about five centuries. The local nobility played a crucial role in shaping the town’s identity, leaving behind a legacy that is still evident today.
The town’s strategic location at the foot of the Alps made it a vital crossroads for trade and cultural interactions, further enhancing its historical significance.
Walking through Saluzzo feels like stepping back in time. The cobbled streets, flanked by beautifully preserved medieval buildings, echo the stories of merchants, craftsmen, and aristocrats who once roamed these very paths.
How to get to Saluzzo
Strategically located within a one-hour drive from Turin, Alba, and Cuneo, Saluzzo is best to be reached by car. Public transportation is also available but only by regional services (trains and buses) which are more frequent on weekdays.
Saluzzo is the departing point of day trips to unspoiled and pristine alpine valleys, such as the Natural Park of Monviso, named after the highest peak of the western Alps, defining the French border.
A scenic drive across the Varaita Valley is the chance to visit Romanesque countryside chapels boasting medieval frescoes, cheese producers, and cozy farmhouses and explore a wide net of trekking trails suitable to different levels of physical strength.
Join our Piedmont’s Castles and Abbey Tour for a private, hassle-free tour experience.
Things to do in Saluzzo, Italy
There are many things to do in Saluzzo, a gem of northwest Italy. The architectural gems that the tour guides point out on a walking tour contribute to the narrative of Saluzzo, providing a window into its storied past and inviting exploration.
One of these architectural marvels is the Palazzo Comunale, the town hall, which reflects the Gothic style and features intricate frescoes. This building has been the heart of Saluzzo’s civic life for centuries, offering insights into the town’s governance and communal activities. The interior is adorned with beautiful artworks and historical artifacts, allowing visitors to appreciate the town’s artistic heritage.
The Civic Tower, or Torre Civica, stands as a symbol of Saluzzo’s medieval past. This towering structure offers visitors a chance to climb to the top for panoramic views of the town and toward the Alps which stand behind as a natural barrier to defend it. The tower’s bell, which has rung for centuries, adds to the charm of Saluzzo, marking the passage of time and announcing to the population warnings in case of emergency.
Exploring Saluzzo’s Architectural Gems: La Castiglia
Saluzzo boasts an impressive array of architectural treasures that narrate the town’s illustrious past. One of the standout landmarks is the Castiglia, a majestic fortress that dominates the upper part of the medieval town.
Originally built in the 11th century, this castle served as the marquises’ residence and over time its towers and thick walls were used for different purposes. In fact, it became a prison and today is home to a cultural center for temporary exhibitions and the Historical Archive.
Visitors can wander through its ancient walls, taking in breathtaking views of Saluzzo’s rooftops. The Castiglia’s grandeur is a testament to the town’s historical importance and the power once held by its rulers, making it a must-visit for anyone exploring Saluzzo.
What to see in Saluzzo
What to see in Saluzzo, in northwest Italy? From Piazza Mondagli our tour guides lead the way to the church of San Giovanni. Once inside, we can spot the marks of several renovations, like the one that shifted 90° the building’s orientation. The church boasts medieval frescoes brought back to light after recent interventions that removed layers of old plaster.
Moreover, we can admire a precious funerary monument sculpted by Antoine Le Mortorier. This artist originally from Avignon, in France, in his career worked for the King of France and he was a master of flamboyant gothic style.
Next, is Piazza San Nicola named after the baroque church standing on the side of the square. On the way to the town’s lower section, stands the Bishop Palace, whose ground floor was once used as a warehouse. Next to it, via Carrera is easily recognizable for Saluzzo’s most famous landmark, the lower and dark porticoes.
In this area, visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Saluzzo. The local market, held weekly, offers a plethora of fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and handmade crafts. Here, you can taste local specialties like Castelmagno cheese and Tumin del Mel, which embody the region’s rich culinary heritage. Engaging with local vendors not only supports the community but also provides insights into the traditions and flavors that define Saluzzo’s gastronomy.
Casa Cavassa, Saluzzo’s Treasure Cove
One of Saluzzo’s hidden gems is Casa Cavassa, formerly the residence of the Marquis’ General Administrator, boasting beautifully preserved rooms, which provide a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Saluzzo nobility.
This historic house is adorned with stunning works of art by Flemish master Hans Clemer, some of the few and most important dating to the Renaissance period, otherwise hard to find in Piedmont.
Among them is the famous Virgin of Mercy, painted on wood between 1499 and 1500, where Clemer expressed the high profile of his commissioner by using a considerable amount of gold.
Hans Clemer is also the author of the courtyard wall’s fresco, called “grisaille” from the French word “gris”, because it is entirely painted with different shades of grey.
Casa Cavassa also hosts temporary exhibitions celebrating contemporary artists, creating a bridge between the past and present.
Things to See in Saluzzo
Three rings of walls were built at different times to contain the size of the city which continued to grow throughout centuries.
Some of the original city gates are still standing, with their peculiar pointed arches. Among them, Santa Maria’s Gate belonged to 1379 walls and still shows the double sides needed for holding the drawbridge.
Vacca Gate also survived centuries of reconstruction but nothing is left of the first ring of walls dating back to 1250.
The Cathedral overlooks Saluzzo’s 1800s section of the city, which today hosts the commercial center.
Completed in the 1500s, the altarpiece was commissioned by one of the marquis and contains elements of Flemish art, such as the vivid colors, and influence from the Provencal tradition, like the elegant portraits. This is a great spot to see some of Hans Clemer works, accessible for free in Saluzzo’s Cathedral, next to Baroque elements.
Castello della Manta
Just outside Saluzzo, Castello della Manta features magnificent frescoes depicting the “Fountain of Youth.” A Piedmont’s must-see, it is located on the hills at the foot of the Alps.
This castle was first built as a military fortress controlled by the marquises and enlarged in the XV century by Valerano, the first member of a family’s side branch.
The Baronial Hall boasts the highlight of this castle: a fresco made by an unknown artist which takes the entire length of the wall.
Named “Nine Worthies and Heroines” the fresco cycle is a masterpiece of chivalric tradition, much appreciated by aristocrats in the 1400s.
Each depicted character was inspired by the novel “Les Chevaliers Errants” written in 1394 by Tommaso III, Valerano’s father.
On the room’s opposite side stands the famous “Fountain of Youth” whose written title blocks, characters with curious facial expressions, and the dynamism of the composition, make the work of art very unique.
Staffarda Abbey
The Abbey of Staffarda is one of the best-preserved medieval Cistercian monasteries located in Piedmont, Italy, near the town of Revello, in the province of Cuneo, a few miles from Saluzzo.
The Cistercian order, known for its emphasis on self-sufficiency and agriculture, turned the area into a thriving monastic site and asset of the region.
The site construction took place between 1122 and 1138 with the draining of the swamps that used to flood the fertile plain near the Po River, at the foot of the Alps.
While monks lived a harsh life based on the rules of poverty, labor, and hermitage, they introduced new farming techniques, bringing the abbey to play a key role in the region’s agricultural development, and increasing its wealth and political power.
The tour of Staffarda Abbey
The abbey features a mix of Romanesque and early Gothic styles whose austere look reflects the Cistercian ideals of humility and devotion. The church boasts an altarpiece by Pascale Oddone, dating 1531 that illuminates the church’s high altar.
The tour includes the evocative cloister, the inner courtyard used for meditation, prayer, and daily monastic routines.
The Chapter house, the refectory, the workshops, and the kitchen offer visitors a fascinating look into Cistercian monastic life.
Savigliano
Savigliano, a charming town in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, is rich in history, architecture, and culture. It’s located in the province of Cuneo, not far from Saluzzo, Staffarda, and Alba in the heart of the plains where local bovine breeds called Fassona are raised, as well as crops with cereals and fruit.
As a free Commune since 1100, Savigliano expanded due to its favorable position, exploiting the water of different alpine rivers in agriculture and other handicrafts.
The golden age of Savigliano was the XVII century when local aristocratic families hired well-known artists to embellish their homes and churches, to show off their social status. Among painters who worked in Savigliano, names such as Boetto, Molinari, and Claret stand out.
Things to do in Savigliano, Italy
The Main Hall of Palazzo Taffini d’Acceglio boasts a fresco cycle dedicated to Vittorio Amedeo I of Savoy and its victories on the Monferrato Hills in eastern Piedmont. These frescoes give the optical illusion of being tapestries, painted like fabric that folds on the walls and over door frames.
The central square of Savigliano is Piazza Santarosa, the oldest part of the town, is framed by porticoes and palaces decorated with terracotta tiles, wooden ceilings, remains of medieval frescoes, triforas, and small votive niches.
In the square lies the monument to Santorre Santarosa, a leader of the revolutionary fights in 1821, considered of historical relevance as a first step toward the Unification of Italy.
Things to do in Savigliano include a look at the Benedictine monastery of S. Pietro, the church of S. Andrea, Palazzo Muratori Cravetta, the Civic Tower, and the ancient City Hall.
Moreover, the former Dominican monastery preserves the Chapel of the Rosary with parts of frescoes dating back to 1636, attributed to Jean Claret. In fact, the monastery became a sort of mausoleum for Savigliano’s wealthy families who were used to investing in precious works of art.
Savigliano Train Museum
A stop in the town of Savigliano is a must-do for train lovers. The Piedmont Railway Museum features a large collection of well-preserved locomotives and passenger cars which are still perfectly working.
The Museum is dedicated to the engineers who planned and built the Frejus Alpine tunnel connecting Piedmont to France, in northwest Italy.
Such a strong tie between the town of Savigliano and trains goes back to 1853 when the railroad line connecting Turin to Cuneo brought new traffic and opportunity to this part of the region.
Since then, Savigliano has been known for being the home of an important factory where Italian trains were built. Originally owned by FIAT, the plant was acquired by the current Alstom company that today builds high-speed trains.
Calandra’s Plaster Cast Gallery
Gipsoteca Calandra is a plaster cast gallery dedicated to Davide Calandra, an artist born in Savigliano.
The gallery features many statues, drawings, terracotta artifacts, projects, and casts including Calandra’s most famous work: the frieze for the Italian Parliament Hall of Montecitorio Palace in Rome, dated 1910.
The museum is hosted inside a former Franciscan convent with an elegant 1700s cloister.
