Cardè
Cardè: the town of the Po Valley
Cardè (or Cardé in the Piedmontese language) is a small municipality of about 1,152 inhabitants located north of Saluzzo, in Piedmont. The territory is crossed by the Po River and is about 43 kilometers away from Cuneo. The town is famous for being the first in the Po Valley and is part of the Po Cuneese Park and the Agricultural Region 15 (Saluzzo plain).
Origin of the name: from game
The name Cardè derives from "nemus Cardesii", "nemus Cardeti", "nemus Cardei", that is the woods of Cardesio, Cardetto, Cardè. The toponym obviously comes from the conditions of uncultivated land, mainly characterized by wild brambles and thistles: Cardè was therefore the name of the forest. In a document from 1324, it is clearly stated: "Nemus quod appellatum est Cardettum".
History: from the Marquisate of Saluzzo to the Duchy of Savoy
The area of Cardè remained under the influence of the Marquisate of Saluzzo from 1175 to 1549, the date of annexation to France. French domination ended in 1601, when with the Treaty of Lyon the entire area passed under the Duchy of Savoy. In 1706, near the Po River, a skirmish took place between French and Piedmontese troops, known as the Battle of Cardè, in which Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy managed to avoid capture.
Society: demographic evolution
The population of Cardè has always been fairly stable over the years. Currently, the town has about 1,152 inhabitants, with a slight prevalence of women over men.
Monuments and places of interest: history and culture
The Castle of Cardè dates back to the thirteenth century and was built by Manfredo II of Saluzzo to protect the Marquisate of Saluzzo. The chapel of the Marquises of San Germano is the tomb where the lords of the castle are buried. The relationship of kinship with the Saxony-Coburg and Gotha (Belgium) derives from the fact that Queen Paola of Liege is the sister-in-law of the last marquis. The Bridge of Cardè was the first in reinforced concrete on the Po and, after nine years of work, was reopened on September 23, 2013. The tower, built at the beginning of the sixteenth century, was the first dwelling in the village.
Among the noteworthy religious architectures are the Church of Santa Caterina, the Confraternity of San Sebastiano, the Sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna della Salesea, and the Church of San Rocco.
Infrastructure and transportation: main roads
Cardè is served by Provincial Road 29 and Provincial Road 175 Villanova Solaro - Cardè. The area is well served by public transportation.
Administration: who governs Cardè
The municipality is governed by the Municipal Administration, chaired by the mayor elected by all adult citizens.
Notes: further insights into the history of Cardè
For more insights into the history of Cardè, it is possible to consult the documents in the municipal library.
Related topics: links with other cities and municipalities
Among the related topics are the Bridge of Cardè and Manfredo V of Saluzzo, an important figure in the history of this area.
Other projects: the town's website
For more information on the town of Cardè, you can consult the official website of the municipality.
