Corneliano d'Alba
Welcome to Corneliano d'Alba!
Hello everyone! Today, I'll be talking about Corneliano d'Alba, an Italian municipality located in the province of Cuneo, in Piedmont. Corneliano has a population of around 2150 inhabitants and is located in the Roero region.
The Physical Geography of Corneliano d'Alba
Corneliano is situated along the slopes of the hills in the valley of the Riddone stream. Its geographical location makes it predominantly hilly. If you love nature and breathtaking views, this is the place for you!
The History of Corneliano d'Alba
Being on the ancient Roman road that connected Alba to Turin, Corneliano d'Alba has a long history. In fact, the name of the municipality derives from the gens Cornelia, who owned a property in the area. Corneliano only gained importance from the twelfth century onwards, when, with the advent of the Free Commune, its strategic importance for the control of the territory was rediscovered. A castle was erected on the hill overlooking the village to defend against enemies.
Corneliano and Alba quickly sided against the city of Asti, whose bishop had expansionist aims in the area. Passed under various signorias, Corneliano experienced dark moments during the Italian Wars of the sixteenth century, but its cultural heritage resisted. Today, you can admire the old decagonal tower of the castle, the arch formed by the entrance gate to the historic center, and the Church of San Gallo and San Nicola di Bari, which replace the old and small parish church dedicated to Saints Celsus and Damian, located upstream.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Corneliano d'Alba is famous for its religious architecture and its votive chapels and shrines. Here is a list of the most important ones:
Religious Architecture
- Church of Saints Gallo and Nicolò, 18th century
- Confraternity of San Bernardino
- Church of the Holy Trinity
- Church of Saint Elisabeth
- Sanctuary of Castellero, built on the site of a seventeenth-century rural chapel, houses a wooden statue of the Assumption of the Virgin, the work of the sculptor Roasio, and, in the eighteenth-century adjacent home of the hermit ("frà 'd Castlé"), a rich collection of 226 votive paintings (ex-votos).
- Church of San Michele, in the hamlet of Reala.
Votive Chapels and Shrines
Corneliano d'Alba is also famous for its votive chapels and shrines. Here are the main ones:
- Chapel of San Bernardo in loc. Lemonte
- Shrine of Santa Rita in reg. Bussonio
- Shrine of San Pancrazio in via Valeirole
- Votive Pillar of Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo in via Castellero
- Votive Pillar of Santa Maria Maddalena in via Cavagnolo
- Votive Pillar of San Michele on the road to Montaldo Roero
- Votive Pillar of the Blessed Virgin Assumed into Heaven in the hamlet of Marini
- Votive Pillar of Christ Crucified in the hamlet of Marini
- Votive Pillar of the Madonna in the hamlet of Vaschetti
- Votive Pillar of the Madonna Consolata in viale Marconi
- Votive Pillar of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in via Pesio
- Votive Pillar of the Holy Family in the hamlet of Vendole
- Votive Pillar of San Grato in the hamlet of Migliero
- Votive Pillar of the Madonna of the Rosary in the hamlet of Battagli
- Votive Pillar of the Immaculate Conception in the hamlet of Reala
- Votive Pillar of the Virgin of Carmel.
Conclusion
Corneliano d'Alba is a small municipality with long historical and cultural roots. If you love nature, history, and art, this is the right place for you. Come visit us and you won't regret it!
