Castagnola
Welcome to Castagnola!
Hello everyone and welcome to Castagnola, a beautiful hamlet in the municipality of Ferriere, in the province of Piacenza. I will take you on a journey to discover the wonders that this small village has to offer, from its geographical location to the origins of its name, from its history to the daily life of its inhabitants.
Physical geography
Castagnola is located in Val d'Aveto, on the slopes of Monti Penna, at an altitude of 865 meters above sea level. The village overlooks the Aveto River and its territory is crossed by the Rio Scabbie, a tributary of the main river.
Origins of the name
The name Castagnola derives from the presence of chestnut forests that surround the village. In turn, the village is divided into three localities: Cervini, Caselli, and Calamari, which take their names from the families that lived there at the time of the founding.
History
The history of Castagnola begins around the year 1000, when three bandits who had fled from nearby Liguria founded the hamlet. Their surnames - Calamari, Cervini, and Casella - later became the most common among the local population. From its beginnings, Castagnola lived on agriculture, craftsmanship, and pastoralism, with the breeding of livestock and the cultivation of vegetables and cereals. The village was also renowned for its cheese production, which was sold in nearby towns.
The first parish church of Castagnola was built in the sixteenth century, and later the village was a fiefdom of the Landi family. In the twentieth century, the inhabitants of Castagnola participated in the construction of the Boschi dam and in the partisan struggle during World War II. Until the middle of the last century, the village also hosted a large quartz mine.
Daily life
Today, Castagnola is a quiet and peaceful community, with just over 100 inhabitants. The inhabitants of the village mainly engage in agriculture and livestock breeding, with summer grazing in the surrounding mountains. The village also hosts a small but active artisan community, with blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and weavers.
Events and traditions
Like many Italian hamlets, Castagnola has preserved many of its traditions and holds annual events that attract visitors from all over the region. One of these events is the Feast of Our Lady of Grace, held in September and featuring a procession of the statue of the Madonna carried around the village streets. During the Christmas holidays, the village is filled with lights and decorations, with the traditional nativity scene set up in the church. In addition, during the summer, a festival of local cuisine is organized, with tastings of traditional dishes such as fried cake, pasta and beans, and malfatti.
What to see in Castagnola
If you visit Castagnola, you cannot miss the Church of Our Lady of Grace, built in the seventeenth century and dedicated to the patron saint of the village. Inside the church, you can admire precious works of art, including frescoes and paintings. Not far from the village, you can also visit the Boschi dam, the magical village of Ferriere, and the splendid surrounding nature, ideal for excursions and walks in nature.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Castagnola is a hidden gem in the beautiful Val d'Aveto, with a fascinating history, rooted traditions, and a welcoming and active community. If you are looking for a peaceful place to relax and discover Italian authenticity, Castagnola is the place for you!
