Carentino
Carentino: History, Geography, and Symbols of the Municipality
Carentino is a small municipality located in the province of Alessandria, in Piedmont. With its 330 inhabitants, it is one of the most characteristic and beautiful rural towns in the region. In this text, we will delve into the history of Carentino, exploring its geography, monuments and places of interest, society and culture, as well as the symbols of the municipality.
Physical Geography
The town is located in the Belbo river valley at an altitude of 160 meters above sea level. The territory of Carentino is characterized by impressive vineyards that offer a spectacular landscape in every season of the year.
History
The district of Carentino was already inhabited in the Neolithic age, as evidenced by the discovery of stone weapons. The first written documents date back to the second half of the 12th century when Marchese Alberto d'Incisa gave legal order to his small Marquisate. In 1364, the Incisa Scapaccino marquises allied themselves, through a pact of alliance, to the Duchy of Milan. In the 15th century, during the war between Milan and Monferrato, the Monferrine militias invaded the Belbo valley, occupying Carentino, which was entrusted to the Incisas with the peace of Lodi (1454). In the 16th century, the plague reappeared among the small community as it had already happened in the second half of the 14th century. In 1589, the Gonzaga family sold the Marquisate of Incisa to Michele Peretti, nephew of Pope Sixtus V. However, Peretti oppressed the inhabitants with violence and intimidation. In March 1605, the Marquisate passed to Vincenzo Gonzaga, who on October 13, 1606, then sold the feudo of Carentino to Lodovico Fini, thus detaching it from the Marquisate of Incisa.
Enfeoffed to Count Guido Francesco Porta of Acqui, on December 26, 1632, Carentino subsequently passed to Nicolao Faà, Marquis of Bruno (Italy) through a donation on March 30, 1653, in favor of the natural daughter Laura Maria who had married the Marquis Nicolao. The donation was validated on May 31, 1672, by Duke Ferdinand Gonzaga with the act of investiture. In 1708, Emperor Joseph I of Austria, with a diploma of June 30, declared the Duchy of Mantua's Feudal Decay and granted Carentino to the possession of Monferrato, according to agreements concluded with Duke Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy, who, on July 8, 1709, confirmed the feudal investiture to Marquis of Bruno Antonino Faà. The Savoy government gradually abolished the privileges enjoyed by the feudal class through reforms.
Symbols
The coat of arms and the flag of Carentino were granted by the President of the Republic's decree on July 26, 2002. The coat of arms is split (heraldry): the second partition takes up the emblem of the Marquisate of Incisa, which was "azure with nine golden stars: 3, 3, 2, 1." The flag is a split drapery of blue and yellow.
Monuments and Places of Interest
One of the places of interest in the municipality of Carentino is the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assumed into Heaven, built in the eighteenth century. This religious building stands out for its imposing architecture and rich details.
Society
The demographic trend in Carentino is relatively stable, and in recent years, there have been no significant changes. However, there is good integration among different generations, and families are often involved in local activities and initiatives.
Culture
Carentino has a civic library, the Luigi Rava library, founded in 1995 with a literary heritage of about 500 volumes and pamphlets. This cultural place represents an important reference point for the inhabitants of the municipality, especially for local students.
Administration
Below is a table of the administrations that have succeeded in this municipality. The current mayor of Carentino is Alberto Pellegrino, who was elected in October 2020 and is carrying out a work of great commitment and dedication to the community.
In summary, Carentino offers the possibility of living in a peaceful environment surrounded by nature. Its history is rich in events that have marked its growth, and its monuments represent an important cultural heritage. The civic library and local activities contribute to keeping the importance of culture and knowledge alive.
