Fossano

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Fossano is a town in Piedmont, northern Italy. It is in the Cuneo province and is the fourth largest town there, after Cuneo, Alba and Bra. The town lies on the main railway line from Turin to Savona, with a branch line to Mondovì. Its main industries are confectionery (home to Balocco and Maina), chemicals, metals, and textiles.

Fossano became a comune in 1236. It passed through many rulers: it was under Asti in 1251, then the Marquisate of Saluzzo in 1304, later to Filippo d'Acaia in 1314, and eventually to the House of Savoy. The name Fossano may come from a Roman name Faucius, from fossato (ditch), or from fons sana (healthy spring). The old town sits on a hill and has two quarters: Borgo Piazza and Borgo Vecchio. It features many medieval, Renaissance and Baroque buildings and long arcades along Via Roma and other streets. From the east you can see Langhe; from the west you can see the Alps, including Monviso. Some parts of the old walls remain.

The castle, begun in 1314 and finished in 1332, has four square towers. In the 14th century Amadeus VIII of Savoy turned it into a ducal residence. Its inner courtyard was designed by Gaspare Solari. Today the castle hosts cultural events and houses a regional library. The cathedral was rebuilt in Neoclassical style at the end of the 18th century. The town hospital and the Trinity Church were designed by Francesco Gallo in the 18th century. The Palazzo del Comandante is a Baroque building from the 17th century. Fossano also has mineral baths and facilities for agriculture and cattle-breeding.

As of January 1, 2021, Fossano has about 24,486 residents and covers 130.14 square kilometers. The town is about 375 meters above sea level. The residents are called Fossanesi. The patron saint is Juvenal of Narni, and his feast day is the first Sunday of May.