CUNEO, a town and episcopal see of Piedmont, Italy, the capital of the province of Cuneo, 55m. by rail south of Turin, 1 7 2 2 f t. above sea-level. Cuneo lies on the railway from Turin to S. Dalmazzo di Tenda, whence the road goes on to Airole (tom. railway under construction) which is 8m. N. of Ventimiglia by rail. It is also a junction for Mondovi and Saluzzo, and has steam tramways to Borgo S. Dalmazzo, Boves, Saluzzo and Dronero. Pop. (1931) 20,S92 (town) ; 36,15o (commune). Its name ("wedge") is due to its position on a hill between two streams, the Stura and the Gesso, with fine views of the mountains. Cuneo was founded about 1 120 by refugees from local baronial tyranny, who, after the destruction of Milan by Barbarossa, were joined by Lombards. In 1382 it swore fealty to Amadeus VI., duke of Savoy. It was an important fortress, and was ceded by the treaty of Cherasco (1796), with Ceva and Tortona, to the French. In I 799 it was taken after ten days' bombardment by the Austrian and Russian armies, and, in 1800, of ter the victory of Marengo, the French demolished the fortifications.