Fields, moors, waterways and paddy fields, natural oases and a varied rural world rich in food products: the plain represents 27% of Piedmont.
In the south there’s the plain of Cuneo that with its orchards and farms of prized bovine breed, offers places such as the Castle of Racconigi, a Royal Residence of the House of Savoy and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, now also a naturalistic oasis of nidification for storks; Cuneo, capital of the province “Granda”; Savigliano that houses the Piedmont’s Railway Museum and the International Academy of Essences; Fossano, with the fourteenth-century Castle of the Princes of Acaja; Saluzzo - between the Po, Bronda and Varaita valleys - has one of the best preserved medieval historical centres of Piedmont and is home to the Monviso Park; the castles of Manta and Lagnasco; Mondovì, city of ceramics and capital of hot air balloons; the Sanctuary of Vicoforte with the largest elliptical dome in the world.
In the northwest there is Turin’s plain characterized by woods, noble country residences, grassland, cereal, fruit and vegetable and flower crops. In this area, Pancalieri is the known for being the capital of mint and other medicinal herbs which are grown in it; Carmagnola is known for its peppers, to which is dedicated a famous festival. Poirino and Santena are known for the asparagus, and the latter also has the Cavour Memorial, with the grave and memories of the statesman.
In the north, the plain stretches between Biella, Vercelli and Novara up to the Alessandrino area, with other surpises: the magnificent Biellese Baraggia and the medieval Ricetto of Candelo, one of “the most beautiful villages of Italy"; the peculiar landscape of puddy fields in Biella, Vercelli and Novara, passing by the Strada della Lana between workers' villages and factories, up to the medieval structure of the Principality of Lucedio, the Mondine Museum of Livorno Ferraris, the Natural Park of Lame del Sesia, up to the landscape dominated by the dome of Antonelli, which crowns the Basilica of San Gaudenzio in Novara.
In the east, there is the plain of eastern Piemonte, with large agricultural areas. Worthy of note is Volpedo, another one of “the most beautiful villages of Italy" and Spiga Verde of the Foundation for Environmental Education, the village where the painter Pellizza da Volpedo, author of the famous work "The fourth state", was born: here you can follow an itinerary between art and landscape starting from the study of the painter.
In this area there are five important centres: Alessandria, with the fortified citadel and the historic Borsalino hat factory; Acqui Terme, capital of Alto Monferrato; Casale Monferrato, with one of the most valuable synagogues in Europe; Valenza, capital of luxury jewellery; Novi Ligure, with the Museum of Champions, dedicated to the two great cyclists Costante Girardengo and Fausto Coppi, who were born there.