Avigliana

Avigliana
Comune
Città di Avigliana
250px
Coat of arms
Avigliana Location of Avigliana in Italy
Coordinates:
Country	Italy
Region	Piedmont
Province / Metropolitan city	Turin (TO)
Frazioni	Drubiaglio, Milanere, Mortera, Bertassi
Government
• Mayor	Angelo Patrizio
Area
• Total	23.3 km2 (9.0 sq mi)
Elevation	383 m (1,257 ft)
Population (31 December 2012)
• Total	12,230
• Density	520/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Aviglianesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	10051
Dialing code	011
Patron saint	St. John the Baptist
Saint day	June 24
Website	Official website

Avigliana is a town and comune (municipality) in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, with about 11,000 inhabitants, located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Turin. Avigliana lies in the Susa valley, on the highway going from Turin to Frejus (France).

It is best known for two maar lakes, Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo. Also nearby is the massive Sacra di San Michele.

History

In 574 the Lombard King Cleph built a castle here. According to some sources, the battle between the Franks of Pippin the Younger and the Lombards of Aistulf occurred in the nearby in 750. Later Avigliana depended from the Abbey of Novalesa. Later it was a possession of the House of Savoy.

Avigliana was captured by Emperor Henry VI in 1187, but later it was acquired by Thomas I of Savoy. In 1536, in the course of the Italian Wars, it was again stormed by French troops. French attacks repeated in 1630 and 1690, the latter with the destruction of the castle.

Main sights

• Ruins of the castle, destroyed in the 17th century by the French.
• Church of San Giovanni, with several works by Defendente Ferrari.
• the Romanesque church of San Pietro.
• Natural Park of the Lakes of Avigliana.

• Piazza S. Maria Avigliana.JPG

  St. Mary square

• Torre Circolare.JPG

  Circular tower

• Avigliana Centro Storico Tramonto.JPG

  Sunset

• Torre dell'Orologio.JPG

  Clock tower

• Villa Cantamerlo Avigliana02.JPG

  Villa Cantamerlo

• Avigliana municipio.jpg

  Town Hall

• Piazza Conte Rosso Avigliana.JPG

  Conte Rosso square

• Castello Avigliana.JPG

  Castle of Avigliana

• Chiesa S. Pietro Avigliana.JPG

  Church of St. Peter

• Avigliana - Lago grande.jpg

  The lake “Grande”

Transportation

Avigliana has two gates on the A32 Bardonecchia-Turin motorway. It has also a station on the Turin-Modane railroad.

Twin towns

• Tresserve, France

External links

• Official website