User:Outspan/tmp/Carmagnola

Carmagnola is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located 29 km south of Turin. As of July 11, 2007, it had a population of 27,043 and an area of 96.4 km².

The municipality of Carmagnola contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) San Bernardo, Salsasio, San Giovanni, San Michele Grato, Cappuccini, Casanova, Tuninetti, Vallongo, and Motta e Corno.

Carmagnola borders the following municipalities: Poirino, Villastellone, Carignano, Lombriasco, Ceresole Alba, Racconigi, Sommariva del Bosco, Caramagna Piemonte.

History
The municipality was founded during the XI century. The land was originally owned by the Arduinici signori, passed to the Magraves of Saluzzo: this time when its castle was built. The Saluzzo dinasty soon underwent a rapid decadence ending with a French domination period which lasted 40 years. In 1588 Carmagnola became a possession of the House of Savoy, when Charles Emmanuel I sieged it. French took possession of it a second time during the XVII century, during the civil war between Madamisti and Principisti (supporters of the French and the Savoia dinasty respectively). In this period (1637-1642), the three main subdivisions were raised to the ground as they were conflicting with the defence structures, and immediately re-buildt around one mile from their original position, where they still are at the present time. In 1690 the city was once again occupied by the French general Catinat, but just one year later Vittorio Amedeo II brought it back among Savoy's possesions. While its defence buildings were being demolished and its strategic role was progessively decreasing in importance, the town could finally develop agriculture and commerce, mainly of canapa and ropes which were exported in great quantity to Liguria and souther France. The caracteristic of both agricultural and commercial site was heavily present until after World War II, which caused a massive immigration and a rapid urbanistic expansion.

Geographical position
The town is on the right side of the Po river. The nature of the soil determined, as time was passing, the accumulation of the river sands.

Economy
The economy of the town is currently linked to the industry and intensive production of vegetables and cereals, which the particular soil makes very productive. Industry experienced a notable growth during the Sixties, when FIAT opened an important factory, thus attracting a growing number of immigrants from Southern Italy. The rapid growth of FIAT made also possible other activities in the metallurgy, electronics, optics, chemical industry, and food industry fields. Also well-developed are the banking, financial and insurance sectors.

Notable citiziens
Francesco Bussone da Carmagnola, better known as Il Carmagnola (1380-1432), at the service of Filippo Maria Visconti of Milan, who inspired a tragedy by the notorious Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni, Il conte di Carmagnola.

Feasts and celebrations
Peppers Feast. It is held between the last week of August and the first of September; it is an eno- gastronomic feast dedicated to the most typical product of Carmagnola's agriculture. It attracts over 250,000 each year.

Spring Feast, Fiera di primavera. Held annualy in March, dedicated to agricultural commerce, it features many collateral events.

Twinnings

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