Cartignano
Welcome to Cartignano!
Hello everyone, today I will talk to you about the municipality of Cartignano, located in the province of Cuneo, in the magnificent Piedmont region. With a population of only 177 inhabitants, this small town overlooks the Maira valley and its territory is crossed by the homonymous stream. Cartignano is part of the mountain community Valli Grana and Maira. But don't think that its small size means it has nothing to offer, on the contrary! Let's begin our tour.
Physical geography
As I said, Cartignano is located in the Maira valley and is located east of the municipality of Dronero, from which it is separated by the northern rocky peaks of Mount Costa del Vallone. The border continues to the east and north with the municipalities of Roccabruna and Melle, respectively, and to the west with the municipality of San Damiano Macra. The territory is marked by the historic Maira stream, which crosses the municipality.
History
The history of Cartignano is quite ancient and dates back to the medieval period. What attracts attention is the impressive Castle of the Berardi, built in 1440. Over time, the castle has undergone many internal and external modifications, but still represents one of the main attractions of the municipality.
Society
The municipality of Cartignano has a very small population, but this does not mean that it does not have an interesting history. During the 1950s, many residents emigrated to the United States in search of new opportunities. This phenomenon led to a further reduction in the population. However, Cartignano continues to be a lively and dynamic municipality.
Demographic evolution
The population of Cartignano has been decreasing in recent decades. In 1951, the municipality had a population of 572 inhabitants, while in 2020 the population had dropped to 177 inhabitants. Despite this decline in population, the social fabric of the municipality is very strong, with a strong sense of community among the inhabitants.
Monuments and places of interest
Despite its small size, Cartignano boasts some important monuments and places of interest, such as the Castle of the Berardi. The castle dates back to 1440 and was originally a fortress designed to protect the surrounding territory. Over time, the castle has undergone many modifications and restorations and today represents one the main attractions of the municipality. The Church of San Lorenzo is another important attraction of Cartignano. The church was built in the 16th century and features an important carved wooden altar. Finally, there is the Bridge over the Maira with Votive Edicola, an ancient pedestrian bridge built in 1835 and dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.
Administration
The municipality of Cartignano is led by a mayor elected by the people. The current mayor is Paola Garrone. Despite limited resources, the local administration is committed to ensuring a safe and sustainable future for the municipality.
Photo gallery
Finally, here is a photo gallery. You can admire the town hall, the Church of San Lorenzo, the Castle of the Berardi and the Bridge over the Maira with Votive Edicola.
Notes
For more information on the municipality of Cartignano, visit the official website.
Other projects
If you are interested in discovering more about the Maira Valley, you can visit the website of the Valli Grana and Maira Mountain Community.
External links
- Official website of the municipality of Cartignano
- Official website of the Valli Grana and Maira Mountain Community.
