Frascaro
Welcome to Frascaro
Hello everyone! Today, I want to tell you about Frascaro, a small Piedmontese town located in the province of Alessandria. With only 433 inhabitants, it is a peaceful and tranquil place where life moves slowly. It is interesting to note that its origins date back to such an ancient time that it is very difficult to establish the date of its founding. However, it seems that its name derives from the word "frasca," which means branch, because the first nucleus of houses would have arisen near a wooded area. There are several theories about the origins of Frascaro, but it is impossible not to be fascinated by its millennial history.
An ancient history
The discovery of a barbaric village dating back to the period between the 5th and 6th century AD seems to demonstrate that Frascaro already existed in those times. It would be a settlement inhabited by a population of Germanic origin, as indicated by the presence of skeletons with cranial deformations widespread in the tribes of Eastern Germany. During the High Middle Ages, Frascaro was probably part of the territory of the "Scamelaria," along with Gamalero. Later, the territory passed under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Acqui Terme. All these details speak to us of an ancient country, whose birth dates back many hundreds of years.
A historical discrepancy
Despite Frascaro having a long history, historians do not entirely agree on the date of its founding. According to some historical documents, the foundation of Frascaro would even precede that of Alessandria. However, other historians instead argue that its name was not mentioned in the Alessandrine Statutes of 1300 and in the Catalogues of 1350, but was first mentioned only in 1393 in the Register of Rolls. It is certain, however, that the country existed as a physical entity already a long time before, as demonstrated by some notarial documents from 1192. Regardless of historical discrepancies, what matters is that Frascaro is still today a small gem of our cultural heritage.
Frascaro over the centuries
Frascaro and its territory underwent the struggles between Guelfs and Ghibellines during the 14th century, just like many other Italian cities. In 1315, the Ghibellines seized Alessandria with the help of Marco Visconti, lord of Milan, but the war between factions did not stop. Frascaro and Gamalero, which had returned under the control of the Guelfs, were severely punished by Visconti, who destroyed them and put the whole country in disarray. However, Frascaro recovered and grew in the following centuries. Today, it is a small but fascinating reality, characterized by the presence of artisan workshops and a peaceful social life.
Conclusions
Frascaro is a country that shines for its antiquity and its millennial history. Despite the lack of documents that allow us to establish with certainty its date of birth, it is easy to imagine that it is a place of great charm and beauty. Here, in fact, it seems that time has stood still, and one can still enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature, admire the artisan workshops, or simply stroll through the streets of the town. If you are looking for a peaceful place strongly characterized by its history, Frascaro is the right answer. Come and discover it!
