Castelletto d'Orba
Castelletto d'Orba: a gem in Ovadese
Castelletto d'Orba is a municipality of about 1,958 inhabitants in the province of Alessandria in Piedmont. Also known as ''Castlèt d'Òrba'' in Piedmontese or ''Casteleto'' in Ligurian, it is part of Ovadese, a historic-cultural area of Lower Piedmont and Monferrato named after the city of Ovada. Its hillside position on the right margin of the alluvial plain of the Orba River makes it a true gem of the territory, surrounded by Piedmontese and Ligurian hills.
Physical geography
The municipality is located on the alluvial plain of the Orba River, on a hilly area characterized by a strong presence of mineral, sulfur, and curative water sources.
History
Castelletto d'Orba has an ancient and fascinating history dating back to the Roman period. In the 11th century, a small castle was built as part of the defensive network of the Marca Obertenga. But it was only in 1488 that the Marquisate of Monferrato built the current castle, providing it with a fortified compound.
The castle was a fief of some of the most important families in the territory, such as the Doria, Trotti, Spinola, and Adorno, until the suppression of the fief by the French republicans. With the Congress of Vienna, Castelletto d'Orba became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Symbols
The municipality of Castelletto d'Orba has a coat of arms and a flag granted by the President of the Republic in 1991. The coat of arms depicts a gushing fountain, a symbol of the mineral water sources in the area. Next to it, there are the red cross on a silver field, representing the participation of the Castellettesi in the Crusades, and the Adorno coat of arms, who were the lords of Castelletto for four centuries.
Monuments and Places of Interest
The imposing castle is an important landmark for the municipality. The quadrangular construction dates back to the 15th century and has numerous Gothic elements, such as marble pillars and arches topped by the characteristic "bull's eyes" and a Ghibelline battlement.
Another attraction is the church of Sant'lnnocenzo, located near the municipal cemetery. This Romanesque church still preserves its original structure today and has a beautiful interior decorated with frescoes dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. The Buzzi Tower is another late Gothic style construction, built in the early 20th century where some historians hypothesize was the location of the first Obertenga castle.
Society and Culture
The population of Castelletto d'Orba has increased over the years, as evidenced by the demographic evolution of the municipality. In addition to agriculture, the territory is also based on tourism. Castelletto is rich in medicinal sulfuric waters, discovered and valued in the 18th century by a doctor, Gian Battista Barberis, and a pharmacist, Giulio Bava. The curative water sources, such as Lavagello, Cannon, Sovrana, Molino Albedosa, and Feja, make it an ideal tourist destination.
The municipality of Castelletto d'Orba also offers numerous events throughout the year, such as the Review of Wines and Flavors of Alto Monferrato, exploring Art and wine, the Park Festival, and the Country Festival.
Economy and Transport
The agricultural sector today represents the main source of income for the Castellettesi. In particular, the cultivation of the vine is one of the most important activities in the area. Here, typical Controlled Designation of Origin wines of Alto Monferrato are produced, which represent a true Piedmontese excellence. The municipality is also served by bus line 62 - Alessandria - Predosa - Ovada, operated by the ARFEA company.
Castelletto d'Orba is a small gem of the Ovadese territory. Its history, the beauty of its monuments, the goodness of its wines, and the effectiveness of its medicinal waters attract numerous tourists every year, who are enchanted by the beauty of this Piedmontese municipality.
