Perrero
Discovering Perrero, a Piemontese commune
Hello friends, today I will tell you about Perrero, a Piemontese commune located in the Germanasca Valley which is part of the Mountain Union of Chisone and Germanasca Valleys. With its 643 inhabitants, Perrero is a small commune distinguished by its natural beauty and its history. Come with me to discover this Piemontese gem.
Physical geography
Perrero is located in the middle of Germanasca Valley and reaches its highest point in the Punta Cialancia peak (2,855 m). In the upper part of its territory, upstream of the Faetto valley, is located the Conca Cialancia Provincial Nature Park, a place of remarkable scenic and natural interest that I recommend you visit if you love nature and hiking.
History
Curious to know how Perrero got its name? It could derive from the medieval term ''pererium'', which means stony place. But the history of Perrero does not stop there. On December 22, 1787, the Buffa di Perrero nobles were enfeoffed by Vittorio Amedeo III of the title of Counts of Perrero (name in use: Buffa di Perrero). In 1928, Perrero integrated the communes of Bovile, Chiabrano, Faetto, Maniglia (commune), Riclaretto, San Martino di Perrero and Traverse.
But I would like to focus on the history of the Buffa Ricci di Perrero nobles, because it has a unique flavor. As reported in the "Feudal Dictionary of the ancient continental states of the Savoy monarchy (Savoy, Aosta, Piemonte, Monferrato, Saluzzo, Novara, Lomellina, Nizza, Oneglia) 1720-1797", Bovile, including the villages of Bomba Crosa, le Rocchie and Basta and Val San Martino, becomes a fief of the Richelmy, already Counts of Cavallerleone, Gianbattista Camillo Richelmy is enfeoffed of 2/3 by inheritance and invested with the comital title in 1764. Later, he exchanges the fief of Cavallerleone with that of Bovile and becomes lieutenant of the army of the Kingdom of Sardinia. As a reward, the King conferred on him the grand cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and the honor of being the Grand Falconer of His Majesty, his wife the Marchioness Barbara del Carretto di Moncrivello and Gorzegno. The couple had 5 daughters who later married nobles from other territories, becoming respectively the Countess Gromo-Losa of Ternengo, the Marchioness Pilo Boyl of Putifigari, the Countess of Montevecchio, the Countess Salasco of Casteldelfino and the Countess Caresana of Carisio. In addition, the couple had two sons, Carlo and Gaspare Oberto, both followed their father's example, Carlo as colonel of the Royal Cavalry of Piedmont, Gaspare Oberto Major General of Cavalry.
These are the years in which Napoleon's armies press on the Savoy states until drowning them and confining the King and his brothers in their last stronghold of sovereignty, Sardinia. These are the years when the loyal soldier gathers around his Sovereigns, no more magnificent feasts and even peaceful rest, but anxieties and pains: precisely at this moment the Richelmy are united in a surge of Savoy devotion; Gabriella is lady-in-waiting to Queen Clotilde, Felicità Marchese di Boyl is lady-in-waiting to the Duchess of Chiablese and the two brothers are among the very few who follow the Princes becoming inseparably their hopes for the return even in the darkest days. The King will not forget these devotees; when he reconstitutes the court in Turin, Carlo will become his First Squire and Gentleman of the Chamber, Gaspare Oberto will become the Grand Falconer and Governor of the Royal Venaria and both brothers will receive the coveted collar of the Most Holy Annunciation.
Conclusions
Yes, my friends, even a small commune like Perrero hides many stories and curiosities within it. If you find yourself near the Germanasca Valley, do not miss the beauty of this place. You can breathe clean air, hike in nature and discover its ancient and grand traditions. I hope I have been useful in discovering this Piemontese commune and I invite you to leave me a comment to tell me about your experience in Perrero.
