Incisa Scapaccino
Incisa Scapaccino: a welcoming town in the heart of Piedmont
Incisa Scapaccino, also known as "Ansisa" in Piedmontese, is a small town with 2138 inhabitants in the province of Asti, located in the south of Piedmont. In this text, we would like to show you why this town, overlooking the lower Belbo Valley, is a special and welcoming place. First of all, we will talk about its geographical location and the different areas of the town, then we will delve into its history, and finally, we will briefly touch on the topic of floods that have hit the area in recent decades.
Physical Geography
Incisa Scapaccino is located about 26 km southeast of Asti, and is crossed by the Belbo stream. The city is located in a seismically quiet area, and its climate is classified as type E, with a maximum limit of 14 hours per day for heating from October 15th to April 15th.
The town is divided into different hamlets and regions, each with its own characteristics. Borgo Ghiare is the town center and the location of the town hall. Borgo Madonna, on the other hand, is a growing industrial area with numerous commercial activities. Borgo Villa, the historic center of the town, is characterized by ancient medieval walls that surround it and numerous houses of medieval origins. Borgo Stazione, or Briccomonte-Stazione, was around the small Incisa Scapaccino station, currently disused. Borgo Impero is located at the foot of the hill and is an agricultural and wooded area with three churches: Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical. Finally, Borgo San Lorenzo and the Collina region are agricultural areas with a particular tourist vocation.
History
Human settlements in the area date back to Roman times, but the first written sources date back to 984. In the Middle Ages, the inhabited center was Borgo Villa, surrounded by its walls and with three access gates. In the sixteenth century, the settlement extended to the formation of Borgo Ghiare on the Pozzomagna road, and subsequently Borgo Madonna and Borgo Impero on the borders with the province of Alessandria.
After various historical events, in 1708 the entire territory of Incisa Scapaccino came under the control of the Duchy of Savoy. In 1863, the town was renamed Incisa Belbo, but in 1928 took its current name in honor of Giovanni Battista Scapaccino, the first carabiniere to receive the gold medal of the Italian army.
In recent decades, the territory of Incisa Scapaccino has been hit by numerous floods, including those in 1968 and the Tanaro in 1994. However, the town has been able to recover and resist thanks to the unity and solidarity of its inhabitants.
Floods
More recently, rains have also caused minor damage in the town. The flooding in 2000 flooded some fields, while in April 2009, some areas of Borgo San Lorenzo were affected. In 2019, during a new flood of the Belbo stream, a central street in the town was flooded due to water overflowing from the manholes.
In any case, the inhabitants of Incisa Scapaccino have always been able to cope with these situations thanks to their strength and determination. The town has managed to maintain its beauty and welcoming character despite the difficulties.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Incisa Scapaccino is a town that deserves to be visited and discovered. Its geographical location, history, hamlets, and the beauty of its landscapes make it a unique and special place in the heart of Piedmont. Despite the difficulties caused by floods, the inhabitants of the town have been able to resist and keep alive the welcoming and supportive spirit of Incisa Scapaccino.
