Dernice
Dernice: a little gem on the Piedmont ridge
Dernice is a small italian municipality located in the province of Alessandria, in the Piedmont region. With only 182 inhabitants, it is a quiet and picturesque place, immersed in the beauty of the valley of the Curone and Borbera streams. In this article, we will explore the history of the municipality, its places of interest and its culinary delicacies.
Physical geography
Dernice is located on a ridge that divides the valleys of the Curone and Borbera streams, belonging to the Terre del Giarolo Mountain Community.
History
The municipality of Dernice has been inhabited since ancient times, located along the famous "salt road", a road of great importance for trade between Genoa and the Po Valley. The name Dernice, which originates from the Latin ''Darnisium'', appears in historical documents dating back to 869. From 865, the territory of Dernice was under the jurisdiction of the Abbey of San Colombano di Bobbio and the monastery of Vigoponzo (Vico Pontio), which developed during the Lombard era. Subsequently, it was under the jurisdiction of the bishops of Tortona starting from 1157. In the thirteenth century, the municipality was occupied by mercenaries from Tortona and then became the lordship of the Malaspina, the Spinola in the fifteenth century and finally the Sfondrati family.
Society
Demographic evolution
The municipality of Dernice has a population of about 182 inhabitants, thanks to the presence of a solid and united community.
Monuments and points of interest
Military architecture
Dernice preserves the ruins of the ancient castle, which fell into disuse after the extinction of the Sfrondati family. The ruins consist of a square-based tower located at the highest point of the village and a circular-based tower located at the bottom of the village. Despite the tower having been reduced in height, it is still possible to climb to its summit and enjoy a wonderful 360° view of the surrounding valleys.
Religious architecture
The parish church of Dernice dates back to the seventeenth century and retains an interesting wooden sculpture group depicting the martyrdom of San Donnino. It is said that the present statue is the only one that represents the Saint in the precise moment of the martyrdom, unlike the classic iconography that portrays him with his head in his hand.
Culture
Dernice is part of the culturally homogeneous territory of the Four Provinces (Alessandria, Genoa, Pavia and Piacenza), characterized by common customs and traditions and an important repertoire of ancient music and dances from the four provinces. The main instrument of this area is the Apennine bagpipe, which is accompanied by the accordion and in the past by the müsa (Apennine bagpipe), to guide the dances and animate the festivals.
Cuisine
A fraction of Dernice gave its name to a typical cheese from the surrounding areas: Montebore. This cheese has a particular "young woman" shape and is handcrafted following a traditional recipe passed down from generation to generation.
Other culinary specialties of Dernice include saffron, cultivated locally in the Zafferano Montébore fraction, whose name seems to be inspired by the ancient vestiges of a tower dominating the area. The local cuisine, made of genuine and high-quality products, faithfully reflects the most authentic Piedmontese traditions.
In conclusion, Dernice is a small gem on the Piedmont ridge. With its history, its monuments and its cuisine, the municipality represents an unmissable stop for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in the culture and beauty of northern Italy.
