Cuneo's favourable position between Piedmont, the French Maritime Alps and Liguria led to its establishment as a fortress town, one which was the scene of many battles and much destruction in the Middle Ages.
Piazza Galimberti, which covers 24,000 m˛, is one of the biggest squares in Piedmont. It connects the centre of the old town (Via Roma) with the new town (Via Nizza).
The Museo Civico (Tue-Sat 08.30 13.00, 14.30 -17.30, Sun 10.00 -12.30, 15.00 18.00) is situated in the former monastery of San Francesco at Via Santa Maria 10. The museum has lots of information on the history of Cuneo.
The town's greatest prize is the church of Santa Croce, which was designed in the baroque style.
On Tuesday and Friday morning the bustling market offers delicious specialities from the region.
Don't leave without visiting the breathtaking dripstone cave in nearby Bossea (guided tours Mon-Sat 10.00, 11.30, 15.00, 16.30; Sun 10.00, 11.30, 14.30, 16.00, 17.30, www.grottadibossea.com).
