Gavazzana
Greetings from Gavazzana: the Piedmontese hill
If you've never heard of Gavazzana, you're not alone: this municipality in the province of Alessandria was actually abolished in 2018. However, many believe that this small village on the hill deserves to be known. Its name, Gavassàuna in Piedmontese, means "village on the hill", and the surrounding territory is also known as the Brüsc del dìaol, which means "the devil's awakening". Nearly 200 residents live here, surrounded by vineyards, woods, and cultivated fields. There is evidence of human presence in the territory since the Neolithic era, and one of the most important events in its history was the looting of the church of Santa Maria di Castiglione by the troops of Duke of Modena Francesco d'Este. But today, Gavazzana is a quiet place where you can enjoy the landscape and discover the beauties of the past.
Origins of the name and history
The name of Gavazzana comes from the Ligurian words "gaba" (height) and "san" (place). The first mention of the village dates back to 1242. Over the centuries, Gavazzana has changed hands, from the Diocese of Tortona to the House of Savoy, until it was annexed to the hamlet of Cassano Spinola in 1929. In 1859, during the Second Italian War of Independence, the village was the scene of a battle between French and Austrian troops, which would later be resolved at Montebello. Throughout its history, Gavazzana has suffered looting and earthquakes, but it has never abandoned its agricultural and wine-making vocation.
Symbols of Gavazzana
The coat of arms of Gavazzana was granted in 1993 and consists of a heart-shaped shield, representing the pietas, compassion, and energy of the village. In the center of the shield is a castle, a symbol of freedom and communal power. On either side of the coat of arms are two grapevine branches, indicating the importance of viticulture for the survival of the village.
Monuments and places of interest
Gavazzana does not have many monuments or places of interest, but those that are there are definitely worth a visit. One of these is the San Martino Belvedere, located next to the parish church of San Martino, erected in 1867. The belvedere offers a spectacular view of the Alessandria plain and the Alps, especially on clear days. Another impressive place is the cellars of Casa Sterpi, a seventeenth-century structure that still preserves the old wine press and other tools typical of wine production. The structure also houses the Gavazzana-blues music association and is used for exhibitions and conferences. Finally, Gavazzana is part of the "National Association of Painted Villages", and the historic center of the village shows numerous murals frescoed by artists since 1989.
Society and demographic evolution
Gavazzana is a quiet place where the few residents all know each other. Over the years, the population has continued to decrease, going from a maximum of 849 inhabitants in 1921 to only 173 at the time of the abolition of the municipality. Despite this, life in Gavazzana goes on, and the village hosts several social and cultural activities.
Culture and museums
One of the most important places in Gavazzana from a cultural point of view is the Don Carlo Sterpi Museum, located in the birthplace of the venerable Don Carlo Sterpi. The museum collects various testimonies of Don Sterpi's presence, known mainly for his friendship with Saint Luigi Orione. The house where the venerable was born is a seventeenth-century structure that also housed the future saint and is visited every year by hundreds of pilgrims.
Gavazzana: a small village to discover
Gavazzana may seem like a quiet and secluded place, but it hides great surprises for those who decide to visit it. Its history, hilly landscape, friendliness of its inhabitants, and places of interest are just some of the reasons why it's worth adding Gavazzana to the places to discover in the heart of Piedmont.
