Avigliana

Avigliana
Comune
Città di Avigliana

Coat of arms
Avigliana

Location of Avigliana in Italy

Coordinates: 45°5′N 7°24′E / 45.083°N 7.400°E / 45.083; 7.400Coordinates: 45°5′N 7°24′E / 45.083°N 7.400°E / 45.083; 7.400
Country Italy
Region Piedmont
Province Turin (TO)
Frazioni Drubiaglio, Milanere, Mortera, Bertassi
Government
  Mayor Angelo Patrizio
Area
  Total 23.3 km2 (9.0 sq mi)
Elevation 383 m (1,257 ft)
Population (31 December 2012)[1]
  Total 12,230
  Density 520/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Aviglianesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 10051
Dialing code 011
Patron saint St. John the Baptist
Saint day June 24
Website Official website

Avigliana is a town and comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, with about 11,000 inhabitants, located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Turin. Avigliana lies in the Susa valley, on the highway going from Turin to Frejus (France).

It is best known for two maar lakes, Lago Grande and Lago Piccolo. Also nearby is the massive Sacra di San Michele.

History

In 574 the Lombard King Cleph built a castle here. According to some sources, the battle between the Franks of Pippin the Younger and the Lombards of Aistulf occurred in the nearby in 750. Later Avigliana depended from the Abbey of Novalesa. Later it was a possession of the House of Savoy.

Avigliana was captured by Emperor Henry VI in 1187, but later it was acquired by Thomas I of Savoy. In 1536, in the course of the Italian Wars, it was again stormed by French troops. French attacks repeated in 1630 and 1690, the latter with the destruction of the castle.

Main sights

Transportation

Avigliana has two gates on the A32 Bardonecchia-Turin motorway. It has also a station on the Turin-Modane railroad.

Twin towns

References

  1. All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.

External links

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Avigliana.


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