| Cuneo | |
|---|---|
| — Comune — | |
| Città di Cuneo | |
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Cuneo
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piemonte |
| Province | Cuneo (CN) |
| Frazioni | Bombonina, Borgo San Giuseppe, Cerialdo, Confreria, Madonna delle Grazie, Madonna dell'Olmo, Passatore, Roata Canale, Roata Rossi, Ronchi, San Benigno, San Pietro del Gallo, San Rocco Castagnaretta, Spinetta, Tetti Pesio |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Alberto Valmaggia (since 12 June 2002) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 119 km2 (45.9 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 534 m (1,752 ft) |
| Population (30 April 2009) | |
| • Total | 55,308 |
| • Density | 464.8/km2 (1,203.8/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Cuneesi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 12100 |
| Dialing code | 0171 |
| Patron saint | Saint Michael |
| Saint day | September 29 |
| Website | Official website |
Cuneo (Coni in Piedmontese, the dialect of Piedmont) is a city and comune in Piedmont, Northern Italy, the capital of the province of Cuneo, the third largest of Italy’s provinces by area. It is located at the foot of the Maritime Alps, on the Stura di Demonte river where it emerges from the Valle Stura, and neighbours the municipalities of Boves, Busca, Cervasca, Vignolo, Beinette, Peveragno, Castelletto Stura, Caraglio and Tarantasca.
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Cuneo was founded in 1198 by the local population, who declared it an independent commune, freeing themselves from the authority of the bishops of Asti and the marquisses of Montferrat and Saluzzo. In 1210 the latter occupied it, and in 1231 the Cuneesi rebelled. In 1238 they were recognized as free commune by Emperor Frederick II.
In 1259 the independence of Cuneo ceased forever, as it gave itself, also to take protection against its more powerful neighbours, to Charles I of Anjou, who was then King of Naples and Count of Provence. Together with Alba, it was the main Angevine possession in northern Italy; their rule (in fact interrupted by periods under Saluzzo, Savoy, the Visconti of Milan) ended in 1382 when Cuneo was acquired by the Duchy of Savoy.
Cuneo became an important stronghold of the expanding Savoy state, and was thus besieged by France several times: first in 1515 by Swiss troops of Francis I of France, then again in 1542, 1557, 1639, 1641, 1691 and, during the War of Austrian Succession, in 1741. In all the sieges Cuneo resisted successfully. Cuneo was conquered by France only during the Napoleonic Wars, when it was made the capital of the Stura dèpartment. After the restoration of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and the unification of Italy, Cuneo became the capital of its namesake province in 1859.
During World War II, from 1943 to 1945, it was one of the main centres of partisan resistance against the German occupation of Italy.
Cuneo's specialty is Cuneesi al rhum, chocolates with a unique rum-based filling. The most famous brand is Arione, located in Piazza Galimberti (the city's central square). Arione, founded in 1923, has kept its traditional furniture and old world appearance to this day, projecting timeless old-fashioned elegance. Many famous people have stopped by to taste the famous Cuneesi al rhum, including the famous writer Ernest Hemingway in 1954.
Cuneo is also twinned with the contrada della Selva of Siena, Italy.