Giro d’Italia 2013 stage 13 is a flat stage between Busseto and Cherasco. The length of the course is 254 kilometers, which is the longest in this year’s Giro.
Previous stage: Giro d’Italia 2013 Stage 12 details
Next stage: Giro d’Italia 2014 Stage 14 details
Giro d’Italia 2013 Stage 13 quick info
- DATE: May 17, 2013, Friday
- STAGE TYPE: Flat
- START-FINISH: Busseto (40 m) > Cherasco (290 m)
- LENGTH OF THE COURSE: 254 km
- DIFFICULTY:
Giro d’Italia 2013 Stage 13 Profile
Giro d’Italia 2013 Stage 13 Map
Last kilometers
Giro d’Italia 2013 Stage 13 start town: Busseto
Busseto is a comune in the province of Parma, in Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy. It was the capital of Stato Pallavicino. Famous opera composer Giuseppe Verdi was born in the nearby village of Le Roncole and he moved there in 1824.
In the town and the local area many sites associated with the life of Verdi can be visited. These include:
Le Roncole
The nearby village of Le Roncole was Verdi’s birthplace on 10 October 1813. The house has been a national monument since 1901.
Casa Barezzi
Close by the main square is the home of Antonio Barezzi, the man who supported his early endeavours. He became both Verdi’s patron and his father-in-law. In the upstairs lounge, the young Verdi gave his first public performance in 1830 and continued to frequent the house until the death of his benefactor.
The first portrait of Verdi and an oil depicting Antonio Barezzi is on display in the house. Verdi’s letters are also on display. The Casa Barezzi is the headquarters of the Friends of Verdi; the organization oversaw the restoration of the building in 1979 and 1998. Since 2001, there has been a permanent exhibition of objects and documents related to Verdi and his relationship to the Barezzi family.
Churches of Santa Maria degli Angeli and San Michele Arcangelo
Both churches are nearby. These are where Verdi played the organ.
Palazzo Orlandi
This is the house which Verdi bought in 1845. He lived there with Giuseppina Strepponi, not yet his wife, from 1849 to 1851. Verdi composed Luisa Miller, Stiffelio and Rigoletto while living there.
Teatro Giuseppe Verdi
The Teatro Giuseppe Verdi is a small 300-seat theatre built by the municipality with Verdi’s support, but not with his approval. However, he did donate money for its completion.
Villa Verdi
In the nearby village of Sant’Agata, in the province of Piacenza, is the Villa Verdi, the house which he commissioned in 1848 while living in Busseto and where his parents lived until 1851, after which it became Verdi’s home for the rest of his life. However, he lived there less frequently after the death of his wife, Giuseppina, in 1897.
Giro d’Italia 2013 Stage 13 finish town: Cherasco
Cherasco is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 50 km southeast of Turin and about 40 km northeast of Cuneo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 7,624.
Cherasco still retains its medieval essence with its old buildings and monuments. Cherasco does not attract many visitors but due to the rise in agritourism in Italy, there are a few people who visit the town to experience the relaxed village-like atmosphere in Cherasco. The economy of the town is based mainly on agricultural activities and on the production of wine.
Main sights include:
- The Synagogue of Cherasco (probably built before the 16th century)
- Cherasco Castle: A very large castle first built in the 14th century for defense purposes. Fortifications were added later on. It offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and the hills that surround the town of Cherasco.
- Palazzo Salmatoris (Salmatoris palace): Built in the 17th century by a noble family of Cherasco.
- Museo Civico (Civil Museum): It is housed in the beautiful 17th century Palazzo Gotti di Salerno. The museum has a small collection of archeological findings of the region and some artworks done by the artists of the region. However, the museum is mainly famous for its coin collection, which is the largest in South Piedmont.
The heart of Italian cycling beats in Piedmont and the region is one of the most beautiful destinations for a cycling holiday in Italy. Legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi, Costante Girardendo, Sandrino Carrea, and many others were born in Piedmont.
Sources
- Busseto on Wikipedia
- Cherasco on Wikipedia
- Cherasco on Life in Italy website