CUNEO

Cuneo is the capital of the so called Provincia Granda (“Big Province” since it is the second biggest province in Italy) and it lies on an alluvial wedge-shaped terrace (the Italian word for “wedge” is “cuneo”: the name of the town derives from its shape), where the rivers Stura and Gesso flow together, among the high peaks of the Maritime and Cottian Alps.
It is famous for its big market on Tuesdays, which draws many people, coming also from France.
In this area take place events like:
. la “Grande fiera d’ estate” (the “Big Summer Fair”): this prestigious event takes place in September and hosts exhibitors belonging to many and different product categories and more than 150000 visitors a year.
. “Isoladimondo” (World Island): it is a multi-ethnic event which aims at extending the knowledge of the different world cultures.
. la “Fiera Fredda” (the Cold Fair): Borgo San Dalmazzo has been hosting this fair for 435 years. It is the celebration of snail-breeding and of snails in gastronomy.
. la “Fiera del Porro di Cervere” (the Leek Fair in Cervere): it takes place in November and celebrates the leek, which has been awarded the DOP mark (only in this area).

These and many other events make Cuneo a modern and lively border town, lying in an area characterised by many commercial activities and cultural events. In Cuneo there is also an airport (it lies in Levaldigi). The Cuneo area is surrounded by the Alps and by many valleys (Pesio, Vermenagna, Gesso, Stura, Grana and Maira), which create wonderful landscapes where the nature-lovers can find meadows to picnic with their families on Sundays, or steep paths and peaks which require training and effort to be conquered.
At the foot of the mountains lies a fertile ground, where agriculture has been practised for ages, fruit farming is widespread and breeding is very developed; our region is known above all for its quality cattle-breeding and pig farming. The whole province is characterised by the presence of little and medium-sized enterprises and industrial settlements.
In this province you can find many other interesting towns: Fossano with its fourteenth century Acaja Castle, Limone Piemonte with its ski facilities which have been the first in Italy, Vinadio with its ancient baths (altitude of 2000 metres).