Moncalieri was founded in 1228 by some inhabitants of Testona (now afrazione of thecomuneof Moncalieri) as a refuge from the assaults fromChieri. The easy access to thePo River and the bridge (aTemplar possession for a long time) that it commanded granted a certain flourishing to the city, which became a freecomune and housed a number of monastic institutions.
In the 17th century it was acquired by theHouse of Savoy, whose members often lived in their castle here during the summer. During the unification of Italy it was the site of the famousProclamation of Moncalieri. Having maintained its tradition as a summer resort, today Moncalieri is also home to many high technology companies.
As of 2025, Moncalieri has a population of 55,439, of which 48.6% are male and 51.4% are female, compared to the nationwide average of 49.0% and 51.0% respectively. Minors make up 14.7% of the population, and seniors make up 26.7%, compared to the Italian average of 14.9% and 24.7% respectively.[3]
As of 2025, the foreign-born population is 6,505, making up 11.7% of the total population. The 5 largest foreign nationalities areRomanians (2,171),Moroccans (560),Albanians (498),Moldovans (272) andPeruvians (260).[6]
Close to the castle, the descending square of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II was in the past the major centre for the Moncalieri activities. Its cobbled pavement was built back in 1825, and a sculpture-fountain of Neptune (Il Saturnio) can be found in the top part of it. For aesthetic as well as practical reasons, the Neptune fountain was several times moved back and forth. A small passage connects this square to the prestigious Real Collegio Carlo Alberto, school aimed for aristocratic descendants. Nowadays, theCollegio Carlo Alberto is managed by a joint initiative of the Compagnia di San Paolo and theUniversity of Turin; their mission is to foster research and teaching in law, economics, finance and political science.
The Gothic church ofSanta Maria della Scala houses the remains of the local patron. Other churches of interest are the laterSan Francesco,Sant'Egidio and theChiesa del Gesù.
Moncalieri is devoted toBeato Bernardo: around the day dedicated to him (July 12), a historical reconstruction of his arrival in Moncalieri fromBaden-Baden in 1458 is held.
Libraries and Research Centers
Biblioteca Europea di Cultura "Victor Del Litto"
C.I.R.V.I. (Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerche sul Viaggio in Italia)
