Fossano is the fourth municipality of the province for number of inhabitants, after Cuneo, Alba and Bra and it is one of the “seven sisters” (the seven municipalities with more than 15.000inhabitants) along with Cuneo, Alba, Bra, Mondovì, Savigliano and Saluzzo.
What to see
The Acaja Castle is the symbol of the Fossano and it arises behind the central via Roma in the middle of a wide square. Its four towers conserve seven centuries of history and thousands of books. It was built as a defense structure at the behest of Filippo I of Acaja between 1324 and 1332, it was then transformed by the Savoy in a residential home. In the sixteenth-century loggias it hosts the local library with more than 150.000 volumes and an historical section made up of more than 15.000 texts. The inner courtyard and the first floor are used for exhibitions, meetings and cultural activities. From the towers you can enjoy a beautiful view on the Monviso and on the Alps.
The church Confraternita della Santissima Trinità is one of the best example of the Baroque piedmontese style and it was christened in 1791. The Cathedral, instead, shows a Neoclassical façade and stands out in the thirteenth-century complex of Santa Maria and San Giovenale, in the heart of Fossano. The bell tower was built at the end of the XIV century while the octagonal spire was projected in the XVII century.
For nature lovers
A short walk that starts from the church of via San Michele leads you to one of the Big Benches, the giant benches projected by Chris Bangle. Following the signs of the “Sentiero dell’Anima” you will reach the destination in 5 minutes. The cycle-hiking trails of the “Camminatura” network (over 160 km of marked trails along the Stura river) link the centers of Fossano and with the territory of the whole province. The CAI Section of Fossano organises excursions on booking along the paths on foot and by bike and educational activities dedicated to the primary school children. The network includes also 37 km of riding trails that in 2011 were certified by the National Environmental Equestrian Guide. The naturalistic oasis La Madonnina di Sant’Albano Stura is an unique example of biodiversity. Here, thanks to some watch towers you can practice birdwatching, observe and photograph over than 200 different species of birds. The staging and observation points are equipped with special explanatory panels for the visually impaired.
What’s on
- Palio dei Borghi e Giostra dell’Oca: second/last weekend of June
- Fossano Mirabilia, International Urban Teather Festival: first half of June
- OpenNight: May
