Armeno
Discovering Armeno, a Piedmontese commune immersed in nature
Hello friends, today I take you on a journey to discover Armeno, a commune surrounded by nature in the province of Novara, Piedmont. With its 2,093 inhabitants, Armeno is the northernmost commune in the province, located on the hills above Lake Orta at an altitude of 523 meters above sea level. The terrain is hilly and mountainous, rising up to almost 1400 meters above sea level, at the foot of Mottarone. The Provincial Roads of the Novara province start from Armeno and provide the main access route to the summit (not toll-free).
The ancient history of Armeno
The history of Armeno is very ancient, the village (''Armignus'') is first mentioned in a document dating back to 1061 and dates back at least a thousand years earlier. The etymology of the name and archaeological findings suggest that the area was inhabited by Ligurian and Celtic populations from ancient times, as confirmed by the discovery of a tomb dating back to the 4th century BC in the Lavignino area. During the Roman period, the village was crossed by the Settimia Road, built during the time of Emperor Septimius Severus: the village was a mandatory passage to Switzerland.
Middle Ages, Renaissance and legends
During the Middle Ages, the history of Armeno intertwined with that of the shore of Lake Orta, marked by the presence of the bishop-counts of Novara. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, the city became economically important compared to other centers in the Lake Orta area, giving rise to religious confraternities (Catholic Church), the "oratorio (architecture)", of which important presences remain.
There are several legends that characterize Armeno, including one that says that over the centuries, the village was visited by Carolingians and Lombards.
The Sovazza hamlet
Armeno has been a holiday resort and has experienced the phenomenon of emigration, curiously of a workforce not accustomed to this practice, that of the hotel and restaurant sector. The phenomenon has decreased in recent years, managing to even welcome immigrants from the south. The hamlets of Sovazza and Coiromonte, the latter called Coiro until 31 December 1868, both already independent communes, depopulated almost simultaneously and were aggregated to Armeno in 1928.
The Sovazza hamlet (''Soatia''), whose name derives from Latin and which, depending on the interpretation, means ''comfortable place'' or ''association of people'', is located in the Agogna valley, near the "Due Riviere" road, which connects Lake Orta with Lake Maggiore. There is no certain documentation about its origin. Thus, several legends were born, saying that the hamlet was founded by a band of brigands or, more reliably, by wealthy nobles from the Riviera di San Giulio, who fled to the Agogna valley following periodic raids by barbarians.
Places of interest
For those who would like to visit Armeno, one of its landmarks is the Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary, which encompasses all the religious and civil history of the commune. The church is rich in art treasures and mystical suggestions.
Here, friends, is the story of Armeno, a commune immersed in nature, the history of the ancient and the legends telling of an interesting historical past. Armeno is ready to welcome you with its beauty and incredible history.
