Calliano
Welcome to Calliano Monferrato!
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about a Piedmontese municipality that may be of interest to those looking for small characteristic villages and ancient traditions. I am talking about Calliano Monferrato, whose official name has just been modified to include the geographical reference.
It is a small town of just over 1200 inhabitants located in the province of Asti, on top of a hill from which you can admire the landscapes of the Grana and Versa valleys. We are in an area where nature is the protagonist, but there are also testimonies of art and architecture: the Romanesque church of San Pietro, the parish church of the Most Holy Name of Mary and the church of San Michele, to name just a few.
But Calliano Monferrato is also known for a particular tradition, the Palio degli Asini, which takes place in October and sees the jockeys of the ten districts of the town compete aboard donkeys. Let's see some more details!
History and symbols
To begin with, I would like to emphasize the historical value that Calliano Monferrato preserves. The municipality is mentioned for the first time in documents from the 13th century, although the territory was inhabited since ancient times. Here the Visconti, the Savoy, the French and the Piedmontese succeeded each other, gradually generating the historical and economic evolution of the village that we see now.
Regarding the symbols of Calliano Monferrato, the banner is represented by an azure and white flag, while the coat of arms depicts a crowned eagle with two heads carrying a crossed flag on its back. They were granted in 1987.
Monuments and places of interest
What makes Calliano Monferrato an even more fascinating place are the monuments it has preserved and which still attract visitors' attention. It is worth taking a stroll through the village to discover its historical and artistic heritage, including the Romanesque church of San Pietro dating back to the 11th century and the baroque-style parish church of the Most Holy Name of Mary, which houses some valuable paintings.
What conquers tourists, however, is the nature that surrounds the town. Calliano Monferrato is located in a hilly area, ideal for walking or cycling on equipped trekking, mountain biking and horse riding trails. Not to be missed is also the sulphurous spring of Pirenta, renowned for its healing and purifying properties.
Society and traditions
Let's now move on to the peculiarities that make Calliano Monferrato an even more unique place. The locality has been inhabited by people of different origins and nationalities, which can be deduced from the data on demographic evolution and the concrete presence of foreign cultures. As of December 31, 2009, in fact, the resident foreign population was 89 people, of whom 32 were from Albania, 26 from Romania and 15 from Morocco.
But what most distinguishes Calliano Monferrato, according to many, is the Palio degli Asini, an event with a long historical tradition. The race takes place every year in October in the square of Palio, the municipal sphaeristerium, and is contested between the town districts represented by jockeys maneuvering donkeys. The race is preceded by a parade of the historical procession with acrobatics by the flag-wavers and traditional dances and songs.
Finally, returning to the present, the various associations and initiatives operating in the Calliano Monferrato area must be mentioned, which are committed to enhancing local traditions, culture and society. Despite the small size of the municipality, there are numerous entities that operate for the good of the community.
Conclusions
I am sure that, after reading these few lines, you will already want to discover more about Calliano Monferrato, the Piedmontese village that offers ancient atmospheres and unspoiled nature. This locality can be chosen as a destination for your next outing or family vacation. The Palio degli Asini awaits you and not only: among ancient churches, thermal springs and unspoiled paths, you will have a wealth of options to have fun and relax. Come and discover this gem of the province of Asti!
