Savoiya

Savoiya is a term that can refer to the historical region of Savoy in the Western Alps, as well as to the modern territory that covers part of that historical area in France. In various languages, it is rendered in forms such as Savoy, Savoie, or Savoia, and savoiya appears in some linguistic contexts as well.

Historically, the Duchy of Savoy emerged in the medieval period and grew to become a powerful Alpine state. Its capital was Chambéry for many centuries. The duchy expanded to include parts of what are now southeastern France and northwestern Italy. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the House of Savoy also ruled the Kingdom of Sardinia. In 1860, Savoy and the nearby County of Nice were ceded to France under the Treaty of Turin, as part of France’s annexation of the region.

Geographically, savoiya corresponds roughly to the Alpine area that today includes the Savoie and Haute-Savoie départements in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The area borders Switzerland and Italy and features notable Alpine terrain, including Mont Blanc and extensive winter-sports areas. The region has a strong tourism economy, particularly for skiing and mountain recreation, and a tradition of dairy farming and wine production.

Culture and language in the historic Savoy territory reflect a mix of French, Italian, and Franco-Provençal (Arpitan) influences, with regional cuisine featuring cheeses such as Beaufort and dishes typical of Savoyard cooking. The term savoiya thus spans a historic polity and a modern Alpine landscape with a distinct cultural heritage.