Montanaro
Montanaro: a picturesque town nestled in the Piedmont mountains
Montanaro is an Italian municipality situated in the metropolitan city of Turin in Piedmont. The small town has around 5,128 inhabitants and is known for being surrounded by mountains and woods, as well as for the beauty of its historical buildings and the deliciousness of its gastronomic products. In this article, we will explore the origins of the name Montanaro, its history, monuments and points of interest, demographic evolution, and gastronomic culture.
Origins of the name: Latin, Celtic, and Piedmontese influences
According to Ponchia, the toponym Montanaro is derived from the elevated position of the town compared to the Orco river and the surrounding woods which gave rise to the name "monte nero," meaning black mountain. On the other hand, some scholars believe that the "-nar" suffix has Celtic origins, while others believe it comes from the Latin "montanus" with the addition of the suffix "-arius," indicating activity and profession. This theory supports the idea that the name Montanaro is related to the breeding of flocks from the mountainous areas of the Orco valley, where the town's inhabitants would go to winter their livestock.
History: from the Middle Ages to modern times
The coat of arms of the town and the banner were officially recognized in 1934. The coat of arms depicts a blue world with gold circles and crosses, while the banner is blue. Among the most important monuments of Montanaro are the abbey complex, the sanctuary of Santa Maria di Loreto, the church of San Grato, and the castle of Montanaro with its surrounding park. These buildings represent an important testimony to the town's cultural and religious heritage.
Monuments and points of interest: Baroque architecture and unspoiled nature
The abbey complex, designed and built in Baroque style by Bernardo Antonio Vittone, includes the town hall with the bell tower and the churches of Santa Maria Assunta and San Nicolao, as well as the church of the Fraternity of Saint John The Baptist and Saint Martha. The church of Santa Maria dell'Isola and the bell tower complete the range of religious buildings in the town. The sanctuary of Santa Maria di Loreto, located in a panoramic position on the hill, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and houses a painting of the black Madonna. The church of San Grato, on the other hand, is a small treasure of sacred art, with seventeenth-century frescoes and a Baroque altar. The castle of Montanaro, finally, is an ancient fortification transformed into a country residence in the seventeenth century. Its suggestive position overlooking the Orco valley makes it one of the most beloved places for tourists visiting Montanaro.
Society: demographic evolution and current trends
The demographic evolution of Montanaro has undergone various fluctuations throughout history. In 1861, the year of Italy's Unification, the town's population was 2,700 inhabitants. This number steadily grew until it reached its historical peak in 1951, with 5,958 inhabitants. Subsequently, the population has steadily declined, but currently seems to have stabilized around 5,000 inhabitants.
Culture: Montanaro's Canestrelli
In addition to the beauty of its monuments, Montanaro is also famous for its cuisine and particularly for its canestrelli, typical sweets of Canavese. Montanaro's canestrelli are distinguished from other similar products in other parts of Piedmont for their thinness, crispy texture, light straw-yellow color with a bread crust, and fragrance. Montanaro's canestrelli have a long tradition and ancient origin. In fact, they were already laid out on baskets to dry the products, as the Piedmontese peasants used to do in the past. Today, Montanaro's canestrelli can also be found in cocoa-flavored varieties.
In conclusion, Montanaro represents an excellent tourist destination for those who love art, nature, and good food. The town stands out for the beauty of its historical buildings, the rich offer of points of interest, and the deliciousness of its gastronomic products.
