Cerreto Grue
Cerreto Grue: an evocative small town
Cerreto Grue is a town of 308 inhabitants located in the province of Alessandria, in the Piedmont region. Its name is said to come from the presence of cerris oaks and the Grue stream, which flows near the town.
A brief history of the town
The origins of Cerreto Grue are ancient, with the discovery of archaeological artifacts that testify to a Roman settlement in the area. The first historical mention of the town dates back to 1196, when Ribaldo di Cerreto was mentioned in a document from the Tortona chapter archive. Over time, the town developed around a fortified stronghold belonging to the "de Cerreto" family, later known as Pernigotti. The medieval structure can still be found in some areas of the town.
The territory of the town suffered several sacks and wars throughout its history, including those of mercenaries and French troops in the XIV, XVII, and XVIII centuries. In 1778, the town was enfeoffed to Marchese Emilio Signoris-Busseti, husband of Anna, the last of the Busseti, until the suppression of feudalism in 1797. In 1798, the Republican municipality was proclaimed and in 1802, Stefano Valenti was appointed mayor by the French. In 1814 and 1818, the town was included in the Viguzzolo district by the Savoy.
Symbols of the town
The town of Cerreto Grue obtained its coat of arms and banner in 2017, with the banner being a green-colored cloth.
Places of interest
One of the main places of interest in Cerreto Grue is the parish church of San Giorgio, rebuilt in the XVIII century to replace a previous building. The current bell tower dates back to 1896.
Society and administration
The population of Cerreto Grue has undergone a demographic evolution over time, from 66 people in 1541 to 308 in the XXI century.
Finally, the successive administrations table shows the different mayors who have been elected in the town.
In conclusion, Cerreto Grue is an evocative town with an ancient history, characterized by the presence of a historic church and by a demographic evolution over the centuries.
