Carisio
Discovering the History of Carisio, a Small Town in Piedmont
Carisio is an Italian municipality located in the province of Vercelli, in the Piedmont region. With its 773 inhabitants, it is a small and peaceful town surrounded by the beauty of the Sesia Natural Park. But how did this small city come to be? Its existence dates back to 1134, although it was already a fiefdom of the Avogadro family before then. It appears that the name of the municipality derives from this family, whose origins date back to the Carisia Roman gens, which owned this territory during Roman times.
The Medieval Period and the Occupation of Facino Cane
During the Middle Ages, Carisio was part of the Vercelli committee and had its assets confiscated by Emperor Henry II the Holy due to its alignment with Arduino d'Ivrea at the beginning of the 11th century. In 1014, the emperor donated these assets to the church of Vercelli, which in turn, feudalized the castle to the Soleri. They held the fiefdom with the Ratari and the Avogadro, but after 1373, the lords of Carisio submitted to the Count of Savoy, and the place became part of the captaincy of nearby Santhià. The Carisio Castle, a complex of fortified palaces, was rebuilt after the occupation and destruction by the Visconti militia of Facino Cane between 1399 and 1402.
The Coat of Arms and the Uniqueness of Carisio
The coat of arms and flag of the Municipality of Carisio were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on April 26, 1991. The flag is a yellow cloth, while the coat of arms depicts a castle with a cross in the center with the symbol of the sun. Carisio is the only municipality in the province of Vercelli to be part of the diocese of Biella.
The Population of Carisio and its Administrations
The population of Carisio has remained substantially stable in recent years. The demographic evolution of the town records a slight growth in inhabitants until the 1950s, followed by stability with some small variations. The administration of Carisio is entrusted to a mayor and the municipal council.
Infrastructure and Transportation in Carisio
The Carisio Station is located along the Santhià-Arona railway and was activated on January 16, 1905. However, since 2012, it has been without traffic due to the suspension of service on the line imposed by the Piedmont Region.
The Curiosity Related to “La Zanzara” of Radio 24
Finally, a curiosity related to the Piedmontese town: each episode of the radio program La Zanzara, broadcast on Radio 24, ends with a snippet of a phone call from a person named Francesco from Novara, in which he mentions the town of Carisio. This reference has become famous among the program's listeners, who appreciate the irony and sympathy of its protagonists.
In summary, Carisio is a historic municipality in the province of Vercelli, with a unique charm, nestled in a park of great beauty, and whose history dates back to the 11th century. The city is part of the diocese of Biella, and both its population and administration remain stable over the years. The infrastructure of transportation relies on the railway station, although it is currently without traffic, and finally, the curiosity about the characters of Radio24 has enriched the notoriety of this small town in the Piedmont plain.
