CITY OF MONDOVI'

The name Mondovì derives from Ël Mont ëd Vi, i.e. Monte di Vico (fort), because the Piazza district, the oldest in the town, is very close to the neighbouring municipality of Vicoforte. The town of Mondovì is referred to as a scattered municipality, in fact the two largest districts, Piazza and Breo, are located on two separate levels joined together by a funicular railway that has been in operation since 1886.

A hillside town of medieval origin, it was first founded in 1198 following the destruction of the town of Bredolo, whose survivors united in a community independent of the feudal power. Unfortunately, the bishop of Asti succeeded in conquering it shortly afterwards and destroyed it in 1231. It recovered in 1232 thanks to an alliance with the commune of Milan, Cuneo and Savigliano, thus being able to resist any further attacks.

However, the town had to endure other periods of domination over time: in 1260 it was occupied by Carlo d'Angiò, who was expanding throughout Piedmont, and then returned under the Bishop of Asti in 1274. It was only in 1290 that it was able to obtain recognition of its communal autonomy and receive many privileges that earned it the name Mons Regalis throughout the Middle Ages; even today the locals are called Monregalesi.

However, not many years passed before the second Angevin occupation in 1305, which was followed by the rule of various families: first it passed to the Visconti, then to the Marquises of Monferrato, to the Acaja and finally to the Savoia from 1418. During this period Mondovì experienced a period of strong growth, making it the most populous city in Piedmont, and also becoming the seat of the Piedmontese University in the second half of the 16th century.

Nevertheless, the city suffered a new French occupation from 1537 to 1559, when Emanuele Filiberto brought it back under the rule of the House of Savoy. It was again occupied by Napoleon's troops in 1796 until 1814, when it returned to the Savoy family for good.

The city of Mondovì has a particularly rich architectural and artistic heritage, with an abundance of religious buildings such as the Cathedral of San Donato, the Church of the Mission, the Bishop's Palace, the Synagogue, and a large number of votive chapels scattered throughout the city and surrounding areas.

There is also a rich cultural offer with important museums that describe the peculiarities of the city, such as the Museum of Printing and the Museum of Ceramics, a traditional and characteristic production of the Mondovì area, the Belvedere Civic Tower, the symbol of the city and home to the Parco del Tempo.

Mondovì is also internationally famous as the site of the annual International Balloon Rally, which fills the sky with colourful hot air balloons on Epiphany Day, offering an evocative opportunity to fly over the hills of the Langhe and the Alpine arc. More folkloristic is the Carlevè 'd Mondovì, a Carnival festival with ancient origins that every year transforms the city into a big masked party, attracting visitors from all over the surrounding areas.