Castelnuovo Calcea
Welcome to Castelnuovo Calcea, where history and nature meet
Castelnuovo Calcea is a small town located in the Piedmont region, between the hills that stretch along the Tiglione and Rio Nizza streams. Here, surrounded by pristine nature and traces of a rich history, you can discover the charm of an authentic and captivating place.
The history of Castelnuovo Calcea
The origins of the town date back to the Ligurian States, followed by the Celts and Gauls. During the Roman domination, a nearby road required frequent reinforcements, hence the name ''Castrum Novum ad Calcarias'' (New Castle of the Lime). After the period of the Lombards and Franks, the town became a possession of the Guttuari family, and later of the Duchy of Milan. In the fourteenth century, Castelnuovo Calcea came under the Savoy family, undergoing numerous transformations and changing hands several times.
Symbols of Castelnuovo Calcea
The municipal banner of Castelnuovo Calcea is a yellow flag with a blue border. The coat of arms and the banner were granted by the decree of the President of the Republic on April 24, 1997.
Monuments and places of interest
Among the most important monuments of Castelnuovo Calcea is the baroque style parish church dedicated to St. Stephen the Martyr. Built between 1681 and 1688, the church houses an altarpiece depicting the Nativity of Christ and a Stations of the Cross made up of several paintings.
Moreover, along the Brofferian paths, routes that trace the places where Angelo Brofferio lived and found inspiration for his poetic works, you can admire the numerous chapels located in the hamlets of the town. These include the chapel of S. Rocco, the chapel of Madonna di Loreto, the chapel of the Annunciation, and the chapel of S. Siro, a saint highly revered in the 1600s-1700s in the diocese of Pavia that also included Castelnuovo Calcea.
Finally, you can visit the castle, of medieval origin, built by the Incisa di Camerana Marquises in 1305. The castle then passed to the Visconti family in 1364, and was destroyed by the Savoyards in 1634. Later rebuilt in 1797, it became the property of the Benech family until the end of the 1940s. Today, of the castle, only the entrance portal, some walls, and a partially reconstructed tower remain.
Nature around Castelnuovo Calcea
Castelnuovo Calcea is surrounded by a hilly landscape of unspoiled beauty, with vineyards and olive groves producing the renowned Barbera wine and extra virgin olive oil typical of the Monferrato region, as well as other local products such as hazelnuts and lavender. Nature here is protected and enhanced through trails through woods and meadows, natural parks, and reserves where you can observe the fauna and flora typical of the area.
Conclusions
Castelnuovo Calcea is a place that holds a valuable historical, cultural, and natural heritage. Among ancient monuments, unique landscapes, and typical products, this Piedmontese town offers anyone who visits the opportunity to discover an authentic and captivating part of the world.
