Cuneo owes its name to the shape of the plateau on which the city stands, at the confluence of the Gesso and Stura rivers. It is a triangle, connecting the “pianura Padana” to the mountains and the six beautiful valleys leading to France.
Founded in 1198, it is the city of the seven sieges, indomitable and rebellious, but also a quiet city, marked by a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere. Hundreds of meters of arcades make it a vast open-air shopping center. Moving on foot or along the many cycle paths, you can discover the portals of the oldest churches, the Town Hall building and the houses of the old nobility. You can climb the Civic Tower, built in 1317, or see the churches of Santa Chiara and Santa Croce, the Toselli Theater and the medieval buildings. Cuneo is called “the capital of resistance” and received the Gold Medal of military valor, since the movement of resistance against the nazi-fascist oppression began in its streets and mountains in July 1943.
The city, with 1,350,000 square meters of green spaces and almost 13,000 trees, is surrounded by the Gesso and Stura River Park, a protected natural area of over 5,500 hectares, 70 kilometers of river, encompassing 14 towns. It is home for a rich variety of ecosystems, where people can enjoy walking and biking, next to the rivers. It is also a dynamic hub of educational activities, workshops, projects and excursions. A new 9-hectare “Ferruccio Parri” urban park is the green lung of the city. All these aspects make Cuneo the "Green Capital of Piedmont".
According to 2023 data, the province of Cuneo, with a GDP worth 22.4 million euros, accounts for 14.7% of the regional wealth. Exportations amount to 10.674 million euros. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. Besides, the province is home for more than 80.000 business, such as Michelin which benefits from a manufacturing site in Cuneo.
It is a land where exceptional products have roots: chestnuts, the round and gentle three-lobed hazelnuts, the vineyards of the Langhe, a Unesco heritage site, but also the white truffle of Alba, or the prized Fassona Piemontese meat.
With a vital social and cultural life, Cuneo is working for its growth and development according to its 2022 Strategic plan for sustainable development with great attention to environmental values and social inclusion.
Cuneo is set to host the 5th Conference of the International Network of Michelin Cities in 2026.
