Piedmont, province of Piedmont
1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.
Proper PIEDMONT, Pedemontium proprie sic dictum.
PIEDMONT, properly so call'd, lies between the Territories of Montferrat, on the East; those of the Republick of Genoa on the South; the Marquisate of Saluces on the West; as also, the Marqisate of Susa, and part of Montferrat, on the North. Its Principal Cities and Towns are these, viz.
Aoste Dutchy.
- Turin
- Aoste Dutchy
- Fossano, Bish.
- Mondovi, Bish.
- Ceva, Marquisate
- Rivoli
- Carignan Princip.
- Vigon
- Savillano
- Coni
- Cherasco
- Chieri
- Moncalier
- Orbassan
TƲRIN, Taurinum or Augusta Taurinorum, is seated in a fruitful Plain, having the River Po on its right side, and the Duria on the left, at the distance of 20 Miles nigh East of Pignerol, 78 almost West of Genoa and Milan, 100 almost East of Grenoble and Chambery, 120 South-east of Geneva, 154 almost South-east of Lyons, 250 West of Venice, 360 South-east of Paris, and 340 North-west of Rome. It is a very fair City, and much enlarged of late Years, through the Magnificence of the Dukes, Victor Amadeo, and Charles Emanuel, being ennobl'd with a Senate, a Chamber of Accompts, the Seat of an Archbishop, and an University founded under the Popedom of Benedict XIII. A. D. 1405. This University boasts of being the first that brought Printing into Italy.
The Palace of his Royal Highness, who usually keeps his Court here, is very Ancient, and extremely Magnificent, wherein is admir'd a Gallery enrich'd with variety of curious Paintings, Statues, Arms, Manuscripts, and many other singular Rarities; particularly the Genealogy of the Dukes of Savoy, the Celestial Signs artificially represented, and 30000 Volumes in the Library. The Town has about 8500 Houses, and is also adorn'd with large Streets, spacious Market-Places, well built Houses, and stately Churches; more-especially the Cathedral of St. John, call'd the Dome, where a great number of Reliques are shewn; and among others, the Handkerchief, on which an Impression is made of the Face, and some part of the Body of Jesus Christ. There are also divers other magnificent Palaces in the Town, and a great number of Noblemen, of whom the Duke's Court is compos'd, as being one of the most Polite in Europe. Moreover, the Citadel of Turin, built by Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, in 1565, is a very strong and beautiful Fortification: for it is flank'd with five Royal Bastions, and erected according to the Model of that of Antwerp; nevertheless, the French Troops, under the Command of Count Harcourt, found means to surprize it, together with the Town, A. D. 1640. It generally contains Arms for 40000 Men. The Courts of Justice for this Province are held here. [As for the Dutchy of Aoste, we have given an Account thereof in the Description of Savoy.]
Fossano, Fossanum, is so call'd as it were Fons sanus, from the most wholsom Springs of clear Water that plentifully flow abroad in the neighbouring Fields, and was built in the Year 1236. It is seated on the Banks of the River Stura, having a Fortress between Saluces to the West, and Mondovi to the South-east, about 8 Miles North of Coni, 24 South of Turin, and 27 South-east of Pignerol. Pope Gregory XIII. not long since, founded an Episcopal See here, and render'd it subject to the Visitation of the Archbishop of Milan. The French Forces have often surpriz'd this City, during the Wars of Italy.
Mondovi, Mondevi, or Mondevis, Mons Vici, or Mons Regalis, is pleasantly situated, partly on the side, and partly on the foot of Mount Apennine, towards the Coasts of Genoa, and the Dutchy of Montferrat, being scarcely distant 2 miles from the River Tanaro, 13 East of Coni, 26 North-west of Final, and 27 South of Turin. It heretofore appertain'd to the Jurisdiction of Montferrat, in the time of Theodore II. Marquis of that Province, at whose Sollicitation it was erected into a Bishop's See, under the Metropolitan of Turin, A. D. 1388. Pope Pius V. some time exercis'd the Episcopal Function here, and bore the Name of Cardinal Michael Gislerio. Indeed, Mondovi is a large City, and the most Populous of Piedmont, after Turin, and is divided into Three Parts. A sort of White Marble is commonly dug out of an Hill, on which stands the Citadel built by Philibert Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, A. D. 1573; and a miraculous Image of the Virgin Mary is (as they say) preserv'd in a stately Church founded by Emanuel I. Moreover this City was formerly adorn'd with an University, which hath been since translated to Turin.
Ceva, a small Town guarded with a Castle, 8 Miles South-east of Mondovi. It is the Capital of the Countrey of the Langhes, a Name appropriated to certain little Hills that make the beginning of Mount Apennine, and dignify'd with the Title of a Marquisate. The adjacent Countrey, chiefly toward Tende and Montferrat, affords much variety of Game, more-especially Pheasants and Partridges.
Carignan, a considerable Town, bearing the Title of a Principality, stands on the Banks of the River Po, over which is erected a fair Bridge 8 Miles South of Turin. It is defended by a strong Castle, and its Soil abounds with Mulberry-Trees for Silk-worms. Thomas Francis of Savoy, Fifth Son of Charles Emanuel I. Duke of Savoy, and Catherine Michelle of Austria, was honour'd with the Titles of Prince of Carignan, and Great Master of France, and died A. D. 1656. In 1625, he took to Wife Mary of Bourbon, Daughter of Charles of Bourbon, and begat Joseph Emanuel, John Eugenius Mauritius Count of Soissons; Amadaeus, Ferdinand, Charlotte Christina, and Louise Christina, who was marry'd to Ferdinand Maximilian. The Town of Carignan was taken by the French, in the Year 1691; and re-gain'd in the same Year by the Duke of Savoy.
Savillano, or Savigliano, Savilianum, a large Town on the River Magra, between Fossano to the East, and Saluces to the West, 6 Miles from either, and 22 South of Turin. It is the Capital of a Territory of the same Name, and remarkable for its advantageous Situation between two Rivers, rendring it capable of being very well fortify'd; insomuch that Philibert Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, intended to make it the Metropolis of his Dominions.
CONI, Cuneum, is a strong Town and Castle built on an Hill at the Confluence of the Rivers Stura and Ges, 35 Miles South of Turin. It held out against Francis I. King of France; but was taken by the Count de Harcourt, under Lewis XIII. A. D. 1641. But Lewis XIV. not having been so successful, in 1691, was obliged to raise the Siege.
CONI in Piedmont.
Cherasco, or Quieras (according to the French pronunciation) is a small but strong Town on a Hill, near the River Tanare, 30 Miles South-east of Turin. It is chiefly noted for a memorable Treaty of Peace concluded there between the Emperor, the French King, the King of Spain, and the Dukes of Savoy and Modena.
Chieri, or Quiers, is a Town of considerable strength, •ledge•nd was formerly a fair City govern'd by its own Republick. It is now famous for the Fustian Manufacture, and certain Seeds that are us'd by Dyers. The Count of Harcourt gain'd a Battle over the Spaniards, near this Place, which is distant 7 Miles from Turin almost to the East.