Cherasco
Welcome to Cherasco
Hello everyone, today I will talk about Cherasco, a Piedmontese municipality with over 9,000 inhabitants. Located just 21 km west of Alba, Cherasco is characterized by the presence of the Stura di Demonte and Tanaro rivers, which converge right in the town.
The Physical Geography of Cherasco
Cherasco is located on a plateau and hosts the confluence of the Stura di Demonte and Tanaro rivers. Between the two rivers, the Stura has a higher average flow at the confluence. Also known as "Cherasch" in Piedmontese language.
The History of Cherasco
Middle Ages
The municipality of Cherasco was founded in 1243 thanks to the will of the imperial vicar of Frederick II of Swabia, Manfred II Lancia, belonging to a cadet branch of the Aleramic dynasty and Sarlo di Drua, podestà of Alba. Lancia decided to build the city near the already existing Roman village called "Clerascum". However, the city quickly passed to the Guelph faction of Charles I of Anjou, thus betraying its Ghibelline foundation.
During the period of the communal struggles, Cherasco passed again to the Ghibellines together with Alba (Italy), Asti, and Chieri in 1277. In 1303 the city lost its autonomy in favor of the Anjou and then, in 1347, to Amadeus VI of Savoy.
Modern Age
From 1559 Cherasco began a new period of splendor. The city was equipped with walls designed by Ascanio Vittozzi. When the plague broke out in Piedmont in 1630, Cherasco hosted the ducal court which, once the danger had passed, erected the Belvedere Arch in 1647, one of the symbols of the town.
On April 7, 1631, Victor Amadeus I of Savoy, Giulio Mazzarino, and representatives of the Holy Roman Empire, Mantua, and Spain signed the peace that put an end to the War of Succession of Mantua and Montferrat, recognizing Charles I of Gonzaga-Nevers as the lordship over the Duchy of Mantua and the Duchy of Savoy Trino and Alba (Italy).
The French Revolution of 1796
On April 23, 1796, the French besieged Cherasco, which surrendered in the evening with a request for an armistice by General Michele Colli, commander of the Piedmontese. Napoleon Bonaparte entered the city and took up residence in the Salmatoris Palace.
Although he claimed not to be authorized to negotiate on behalf of the Directorate, Napoleon imposed the conditions of the Cherasco armistice, which redesigned the geography of the Savoy domains. The armistice was approved by Victor Amadeus III of Savoy on April 28 and confirmed by the Treaty of Paris (May 1796) on May 15.
Conclusions
Cherasco is a municipality that has seen its destiny change over the centuries. From the first medieval foundations to the communal struggles, from the plague to reconstruction and Baroque, to the French Revolution and its territorial effects. But despite everything, it remains a city rich in architectural and naturalistic treasures, ready to welcome tourists who want to discover the beauty of Piedmont.
