SALUZZO

​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 Italy’ 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 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, which boasts works by the master Hans Clemer. Step inside the Castello della Manta, Staffarda Abbey, and the streets of Savigliano. There are 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 as 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 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 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 departure point for day trips to unspoiled and pristine alpine valleys, such as the Natural Park of Monviso, named after the highest peak of the western Alps, which defines the French border.
 
A scenic drive across the Varaita Valley offers 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.

A Tour of Saluzzo, Italy

A tour of Saluzzo is a gem of northwest Italy that provides a window into its storied past of the Piedmont region.

The Palazzo Comunale, or town hall, 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 warnings to the population 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. Over time, its towers and thick walls were used for different purposes. In fact, it became a prison. Today, it 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.

Things to see in Saluzzo

Things to see in Saluzzo include Piazza Mondagli, where our tour guides lead the way to San Giovanni Church. 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, France, worked for the King of France and was a master of the 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 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 supports the community and provides insights into the traditions and flavors that define Saluzzo’s gastronomy.

Casa Cavassa, Saluzzo Treasure Cove

One of Saluzzo’s hidden gems is Casa Cavassa, formerly the residence of the Marquis’ General Administrator. It boasts beautifully preserved rooms that 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.

Other Saluzzo Highlights

Three rings of walls were built at different times to contain the size of the city’s growth throughout centuries.

Some of the original city gates are still standing, with their peculiar pointed arches. Santa Maria’s Gate, for example, belonged to the ll 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, which dates back to 1250.

The Cathedral overlooks Saluzzo’s 1800s section of the city, which hosts the commercial center today.

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’s works, accessible for free in Saluzzo’s Cathedral, next to Baroque elements.

Castello della Manta

Outside Saluzzo, Castello della Manta features magnificent frescoes depicting the “Fountain of Youth.” A must-see in Piedmont, 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 castle’s highlight: a fresco by an unknown artist covering the entire 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 unique.

Staffarda Abbey

The Abbey of Staffarda is one of the best-preserved medieval Cistercian monasteries in Piedmont, Italy. It is located 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, transformed the area into a thriving monastic site and regional asset. 

The site construction took place between 1122 and 1138, and the swamps that used to flood the fertile plain near the Po River, at the foot of the Alps, were drained.

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.

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The Town of 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 and 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. It 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 visiting 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 mausoleum for Savigliano’s wealthy families, who were used to investing in precious works of art.

Savigliano Train Museum

Train enthusiasts should make a stop in Savigliano. The Piedmont Railway Museum showcases a vast collection of well-preserved locomotives and passenger cars that are still operational.

The museum honors the engineers who designed and constructed the Frejus Alpine tunnel in northwest Italy, linking Piedmont to France.

This strong connection between the town of Savigliano and trains dates back to 1853 when the railroad line connecting Turin to Cuneo ushered in new traffic and opportunities for this region.

Since then, Savigliano has been recognized as the home of a significant factory where Italian trains were constructed. Originally owned by FIAT, the plant was acquired by the current Alstom company, which now manufactures 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 numerous statues, drawings, terracotta artifacts, projects, and casts, including Calandra’s most famous work, the 1910 frieze for the Italian Parliament Hall of Montecitorio Palace in Rome.

The museum is located within a former Franciscan convent, which boasts an elegant 1700s cloister.