Castelnuovo Belbo
Castelnuovo Belbo: A Jewel in the Valley Belbo
Castelnuovo Belbo is an Italian town with a population of 826 people, located in the medium-low Valley Belbo, in the province of Asti. Also known as "Castelneuv Belb" in Piedmontese and "Castaunòv Berb" locally, the town sits at an elevation of 122 meters above sea level. Despite its relatively small size, the beauty and history of Castelnuovo Belbo are noteworthy.
Physical Geography
The town is located in the southern part of the province of Asti and is crossed by the Belbo stream, the main waterway in the area. Castelnuovo Belbo is about 35 km from the capital of Asti and about 25 km from the capital of Alessandria, making it easily accessible from the highway exits of Alessandria Sud, Felizzano-Quattordio, and Asti Est. The municipality borders Bruno, Incisa Scapaccino, Nizza Monferrato, and Bergamasco, which belongs to the province of Alessandria. Castelnuovo Belbo is located in seismic zone 4 and was the epicenter of the earthquake of August 21, 2000, in southern Piedmont, suffering considerable damage to historic buildings, including the parish church and the town hall.
History
The name Castelnuovo Belbo first appears in 1003 as "Castro Novo qui dicitur supra Relho". The toponym is composed of the word "castle" and the adjective "new". The first documentation concerning the village dates back to 990, when the marquisate of Incisa claimed ownership. Castelnuovo Belbo became part of the marquisate in the 12th century. In 1518, the marquisate was integrated into the Duchy of Monferrato and Castelnuovo Belbo was plundered by the condottiero Gian Giacomo Trivulzio. In 1594, the territory was annexed to the possessions of the Perreto marquises, and in 1619, the Gonzaga acquired ownership. In 1708, under the rule of the House of Savoy, Castelnuovo Belbo became part of the province of Acqui and then definitively passed to the new province of Asti established in 1935.
Symbols
The gonfalon is a split flag of red and white. The COAT OF ARMS depicts a fortified cell struck by the Gonzaga crest, under which a knight's crown and the motto "SEMPER FIDELIS" are present.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Castelnuovo Belbo is a locality rich in historical and landscape sites of interest. The Church of San Biagio, the Sanctuary of Madonna di San Biagio, the ancient walls of the castle, and the town hall (1877) are just some examples that represent the beauty and history of the town. The elegant town hall, on the slightly uphill main square, has been recently restored and features a facade with arches that form a porch delimited by two lateral exedrae.
Society
Demographic Evolution
Castelnuovo Belbo reached its maximum number of inhabitants in the early twentieth century but has since experienced a progressive depopulation due to the social changes brought by the period of the "economic boom" of the mid-twentieth century and the gradual abandonment of the agricultural sector as a leading economic activity. Only recently, thanks to immigration, the demographic balance has become positive.
In summary, Castelnuovo Belbo is a jewel in the Valley Belbo that is worth visiting for its beauty and history. With its Piedmontese and local nicknames, the municipality offers a mix of culture and tradition. The historic town with its recently restored town hall and aforementioned Church of San Biagio are just some of the places that deserve a visit.
