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Major Cities:
Torino (Turin)
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You will be hearing much more about the Piedmont region of Italy as Turin, the regional capital, will play host to the 2006 Winter Olympics. To Italians and foreigners alike, Turin is often associated with one name or maybe two – Fiat and Agnelli. The Agnelli family (who’ve become something of Italian royalty) built Fiat into the world’s seventh largest car manufacturer. Other industries opened shop near Turin and the city attracted workers from the poorest regions of Italy. So it might seem that writer Henry James was right when he said, “Turin is not a city to make a fuss about.” Yet, despite its reputation, the center of this city shines and offers surprises around every corner. Consider some of these treats: Turin’s Museo Egizio has the best collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo. The city is home to Europe’s, not just Italy’s, largest open-air market (Porta Palazzo). This is the birthplace of Vermouth, grissini (bread sticks) and agnolotti (crescent-shaped ravioli). Once the movie capital of Italy, Turin is again courting the world’s filmmakers and playing host to them with a growing annual festival. And of course, who can forget the Shroud of Turin (Sacra Sindone). The rest of the region is as fascinating and surprising as Turin. Piedmont is home to Italy’s famous white truffles and fantastic Barolo and Barbaresco wines. Alba holds the White Truffle Festival every year. On Saturday morning from October to December, the Maddalena Palace in Alba hosts a truffle market.
www.regione.piemonte.it
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