Moncalieri

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Comune di Moncalieri
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Piedmont
Province	Turin (TO)
Mayor
Elevation	m
Area	47 km²
Population
- Total (as of December 31, 2004)	55,059
- Density	1,130/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	45°0′N 07°41′E
Gentilic	Moncalieresi
Dialing code	050
Postal code	56100
Patron	Beato Bernardo
- Day	July 15
Location of Moncalieri in Italy
Website: www.comune.moncalieri.to.it

Moncalieri is a town of approximately 55,000 inhabitants about nine kilometers south of Turin (to whose province it belongs), in Piedmont, Italy. It is notable for its castle, built in the 12th century and enlarged in 15th century, which later became the favorite residence of Maria Clotilde and Victor Emmanuel II of Italy. It is part of the World Heritage Site Residences of the Royal House of Savoy.

Contents 1 History 2 Main sights 3 Culture 4 Notable natives 5 Twin cities

[edit] History

Moncalieri was founded in 1228 by some inhabitants of Testona (now a frazione of the comune of Moncalieri) as a refuge from the assaults from Chieri. The easy access to the Po River and the bridge (a Templar possession for a long time) that it commanded granted a certain flourishing to the city, which became a free comune and housed a number of monastic institutions.

In the 17th century it was acquired by the House of Savoy, whose members often lived in their castle here during the summer. During the unification of Italy it was the site of the famous Proclamation of Moncalieri. Having mantained its tradition as a summer resort, today Moncalieri is also home to many high technology companies.

[edit] Main sights

The castle is one of the Savoy Residences listed as a World Heritage Site. It hosts since 1919 a prestigious carabinieri school.

Close to the castle, the descending square of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II was in the past the major centre for the Moncalieri activities. Its cobbled pavement was built back in 1825, and a sculpture-fountain of Neptune (Il Saturnio) can be found in the top part of it. For aesthetic as well as practical reasons, the Neptune fountain was several times moved back and forth. A small passage connects this square to the prestigious Real Collegio Carlo Alberto, school aimed for aristocratic descendants.

The Gothic church of Santa Maria della Scala, houses the remains of the local patron. Other churches of interest are the later San Francesco, Sant'Egidio and the Chiesa del Gesù.

[edit] Culture

Moncalieri is devoted to Beato Bernardo: around the day dedicated to him (July 12), a historical reconstruction of his arrival in Moncalieri from Baden Baden in 1458 is held.

[edit] Notable natives

• Pietro Canonica sculptor and senator for life

[edit] Twin cities

• Baden Baden, Germany
• Argiropoulos, Greece