Avolasca
Introduction
Hello friends, today we're talking about Avolasca, a small town in the province of Alessandria in Piedmont with a population of only 261 inhabitants. Located in the Scrivia valley, the town is known for its cuisine similar to that of Liguria and its fractions are Casa Borella, Costa Giuliana, Mereta, Montebello, Oliva, Pissine, and Tassare. A few kilometers away is Castellania, the birthplace of cyclists Serse and Fausto Coppi.
History
Avolasca appears in toponyms from the Longobards as ''Audelassum'', ''Audelascum'' or ''Audelasci''. In the Middle Ages, the town belonged first to the county and then to the bishopric of Tortona. Later, it became a fiefdom of various Genoese families and followed the events of the Grue valley (stream). In 1635, it became an autonomous parish from that of the Palenzona fraction.
Symbols
The coat of arms of the municipality of Avolasca was granted by decree of the President of the Republic on May 11, 2004. The gonfalon is a yellow drape with a blue border.
Monuments and places of interest
Once the site of a castle dating back to the 10th century, Avolasca retains very few traces (a foundation wall). In its place today stands the parish church of San Nicola, probably expanding a pre-existing feudal chapel around the year 972. In the Palenzona locality, on the top of the hill, there are the parish church of the fractions dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, and the National Temple of Remembrance dedicated to the Fallen.
Society
Demographic evolution
The demographic decline has led the inhabitants to decrease from 880 in 1931 to 281 in 2001.
Economy
Agriculture is the main resource of the place. In addition to vineyards, there are various crops of wheat, corn, vegetables, fruits, and fodder. However, the town has suffered the consequences of the flight towards the industries of nearby Tortona.
Administration
The municipality was part of the Mountain Community of Valli Curone Grue and Ossona. Here is a table related to the administrations that have succeeded in the municipality.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Avolasca can be considered a true hidden gem of the province of Alessandria. The town is very quiet and relaxing, perfect for nature lovers, good food and cycling enthusiasts. If you are near Tortona or planning a visit to the area, we recommend including a visit to Avolasca in your list of things to do!
