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SALUZZO AND AROUND
History
Between the Po and the stream Varaita on the edge of the hills that fade toward the already plain, rises Saluzzo, home of the writer Silvio Pellico of Risorgimento (17891854). Historical and artistic center of the most important of Piedmont, the city was the capital of a marquis whose history began in the mid-twelfth century: its nobility nor denied the same place name, probably a continuation of salucula diminutive, meaning "stately home" . Despite the developments and the discrete two-fourteenth-century Renaissance bloom, the `existence of that state body, however, was always somewhat precarious, until, by the Treaty of Lyons (1601), it was not assigned to Carlo Emanuele I of Savoy. Go back to the medieval period the walls built by Thomas I° (1244-96) along with the castle on top of the village, extensively remodeled by Charles Albert in the first half of the nineteenth century to use as `prison. Four-sixteenth are the major civic monuments and religious people: among the first we recall the Civic Tower (1460) and especially Cavassa House, a symbol of the renaissance Saluzzo, with decorations and furnishings inspired to the Po valley: it is home to the Civic Museum, which houses furniture of various periods, frescoes, paintings and memorabilia.
The inner facade is adorned by a grisaille painting cycle - that play with the lights and shadows through shades of gray - the labors of Hercules, attributed to the painter Hans Clemer, who also designed the board with the Virgin of Mercy (1498-99) in Sala De Foix, the most beautiful and important of the building. The architecture responds with the late Gothic sacred cathedral, built between 1491 and 1501 on the site of the ancient church of Santa Maria, just outside the walls: the front, hanging with brick, has a central portal with stands a high wimperg, pointed gable characteristic of Gothic architecture, while all` interior, set on three naves covered by cross vaults, stands a fine altarpiece of the same Clemer (1500 ca.). As is also the Gothic church of San Giovanni, thirteenth century, but extended several times until 1504, date of completion of work to the `apse, which has found acceptance in the burial chapel of the Marquis of Saluzzo, a superb example of gothic-burgundian art . Announced by a bell tower with mullioned windows of 1370, the simple facade introduces a spacious interior and impressive in which he indicates a cycle of frescoes by the painter Pietro da Saluzzo, active in the mid-fifteenth century.
Attractions
Saluzzo offers numerous restaurants and hotels, as well as nightclubs that are located from the historic center to the most recent Saluzzo.
To visit
From the Piazza Risorgimento, an atmospheric guided tour extended through the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, built between 1491 and 1511 to house the bishop's seat.
Through the door S. Maria (1379) and the medieval Via Volta (the "Portij Scür") along the ancient Bishopric, we reach the scenic square of Mondagli, one of the most picturesque corners of the old town. Here, overlooking the Public Library, the Monastery of the Annunciation and the house where the Carbonaro writer Silvio Pellico was born in 1789. From there, with a rapid ascent from the pylon representing San Chiaffredo, patron of the town through the streets Muletti and Valoria leads to the Ascent to the Castle, the center of social and economic life of the Marquis, defined by fine palaces century. XV. Standing out among others the building of the Church of Isasca the Palace of Liberal Arts and the Old Town Hall, dominated by the town tower which with its 48 meters high, is an exceptional vantage point over the city, the plains and the circle of Monviso.
Culmination of the medieval town is the Piazza Castello, the historic Drancia fountain at the center, and topped by the imposing tower of Castiglia, the ancient castle of the Marquis below.
Going down to the Belvedere, the monastery of San Giovanni (XIII-XVI) contains the relics in front of art treasures, like the three splendid naves, the apse with the burial chapel of the Marquis, the square cloister, refectory and the chapter house, which houses the chapel of the funeral Cavassa (about 1510). The complex is dominated by the high bell tower with the cock timepiece pro-French.
Continuing on street San Giovanni, we arrive at Cavassa House, now Civi Museum, once a stately home of Cavassa, vicar general of the Marquesas. Restored at the end of '800 by Emanuele Tapparelli d'Azeglio, presents a series of rooms with painted wooden ceilings, walls decorated and furnished in style of that time, frescoes and paintings, including the Madonna of Mercy, a masterpiece by Hans Clemer (1499) .
Leaving Home Cavassa it skirts the eighteenth-century palace of the Marquis of Carretto. Nearby is the church of S. Bernardo (sec. XIV-XVI) from which, following the road the same name, it comes in via Griselda, named after a heroine of Boccaccio's Decameron. The road, lined with eighteenth-century buildings, leading to the Town Hall, built in 1726 as a Jesuit college on a design by Francesco Gallo. From Palazzo di Città street it comes the St. Nicholas square, overlooked by the church of St. Nicola and the charming brotherhood of Misericordia (also called "black cross").
Returning as a city palace through the Porta Vacca you enter neighborhoods nineteenth century, developed outside the walls due to the opening of the railway yard (1856). Finally, continuing along Corso Piemonte toward the Po Valley, meet the former Barracks Mario Musso (the old quarter of Chivalry), the Church of St. Agostinoe and the Santuario della Consolata, with its distinctive bell tower.
Local Products
The cuisine is very diverse in Saluzzo, could use fresh and wholesome products, ranging from simple dishes to the more elaborate tradition of a wise food culture, promoted by many fine restaurants, justifying the variety of choices.
After an extensive series of starters, celebrated by a festival that takes place in the village Via Dei Romani, in late July and early August, the local cuisine offers delicious pasta dishes, while the Piemonte cattle breed, the pride of husbandry of these parts, offers high quality meat, which is essential for the success of any "second" dish.
Among the white meat is very popular white hen of Saluzzo, race is enhanced by one Slow Food.
In all the menus is a good selection of cheeses from the nearby valleys famed as the Castelmagno D.o.p., the "toumin dal Mel," the Nostrale, the Toma d'Elva.
But the place of honor in the products of the territory belongs to the fruit, cultivated by careful producers and exporters around the world. The tasty fruit basket is full of peaches, apricots, plums (the typical "ramassin" of the hill), apples, pears and kiwis. Agricultural products, to excellent, they are the undisputed protagonists of both the so-called "market women" (el mercà d’le fômne) which is held every Saturday in the enchanting atmosphere of Via Volta, is the "fair Sant'Andrea" rooted in the centuries since the time of the Marquis.
Art, white pastry chefs offer the "Saluzzesi al Rhum", the "sweetness hazelnut", the "Castellana", sweet treats made with chocolate.
Among the D.o.c. wines "Colline Saluzzesi", produced by the local consortium, we find the lovable "Pelaverga" already protagonist on the boards of the Marquis, and the "Quagliano", excellent dessert wine.
Do not forget that one of the best wines of the world bears the name of Saluzzo is the Chateau d'Yquem Lur-Saluces, produced in the prestigious wine area of Sauternes.
CASTELLAR
History
Fief of the Marquises of Saluzzo, the country is built at the foot of a rocky outcrop dominated by a castle of the fourteenth century.
Restored and remodeled in later times, the castle was transformed into a stately residence.
The current owner has taken care to set up an appreciable Museum of the Royal Italian Army uniforms documenting the evolution of military uniform from the Unification of Italy to the Second World War.
Also worthy of note, the Parish Church and the Chapel of St. Ponzio, which contains important frescoes attributed to the school of Pietro da Saluzzo.
Attractions
THE CASTELLAR CASTLE: from the hill overlooking the village is a solid construction surmounted by a slender tower crowned with ghibellines battlements: mullioned windows and a drawbridge complete the noble feudal residence. During the openings are also sample the groundwater and the garden, where you can admire a vast panorama of the surrounding hills of the Valle Bronda. In the stable and found the place an interesting ethnographic museum.
PARISH CHURCH: dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary, dates back to 1725 and has a harmonious Baroque structure.
THE CHAPEL OF S. Ponzio, whose oldest part, the apse, dates from the thirteenth century. Restored in 1968 and again during the Jubilee of 2000 (included in mixed project) retains a charming rustic appearance and inside a number of interesting frescoes dated 1450 and attributed to Pietro da Saluzzo.
THE CASTLE OF LA MORRA: Private, surrounded by a magnificent park, filled with ancient trees, ancient origin of the castle rebuilt by Ludovico II in 1490, was later altered again. Today, the tightness of Morra is hunting.
ESCURSIONS
- Cycle path along the Acacie road linking Castellar with Saluzzo along the Bronda creek. The country offers several spaces equipped for outdoor activities: soccer, horseback riding, nature walking and mountain biking, hunting and fishing.
Events Calendar
1st Sunday of May Festival of San Ponzio
1st - 2nd Sunday of May Festival of Scarecrows
2nd Sunday in September Patronal Feast of the “Nativity of Mary "
October, odd years Market Exhibition "Ancient Aromas and Flavors of the hill" (biennial)
Local Products
Castellar has several food and wine: from biological grown apples in the typical "ramassin" (plums whose name apparently derives from a captain of Saracens who invaded these lands around the year one thousand), peaches and kiwi genuine until the grapes Pelaverga of the famous wine. Already sought by the ancient Romans, the Pelaverga enters history in 1500 when Margherita di Foix, Marchioness of Saluzzo, sent as a gift to Pope JGiulio II Della Rovere a sample. The Pope was so enthusiastic that he decided to assign a bishop in Saluzzo. Since 1992, the Company Producers Pelaverga Valle Bronda ensures the quality of wine, sweet, not loud, ruby and transparent. In the center of town is the Cantina del Pelaverga where you can taste this wine, combined with a good rustic meal to the Enocaffè Bicerin or refined meal at Restaurant Sarvanot, both on the highway.
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