Morozzo
Discover Morozzo, the town in the province of Cuneo!
Morozzo, also known as "Moross" in Piedmontese, is an Italian town located in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont. With its 2003 inhabitants, Morozzo is a small but picturesque town located near the confluence of the Pesio and Brobbio rivers, a stream that crosses the territory.
History
The first historical traces of Morozzo date back to Roman times, as evidenced by artifacts kept at the Civic Museum of Cuneo. The town is thought to have been founded by the Ligurian populations and subsequently, during the Roman era, it was the site of a fort, thanks to its strategic position on a small hill on the banks of the Brobbio stream. During the Middle Ages, Morozzo became an important center of power for the surrounding territory, ranging from Frabosa to the Stura di Demonte river. From the thirteenth century onwards, Morozzo began a series of conflicts with the cities of Cuneo and Mondovì, allies of the powerful bishop of Asti. Later, the town fell under the dominion of the Angevins and subsequently, the House of Savoy. Morozzo has had several names throughout history, from the ancient Antibo to Morotio and Moroty during the Napoleonic era; it is believed that the current name, Morozzo, dates back to the Saracen invasions.
Monuments and places of interest
Morozzo offers various places of interest for anyone who wants to discover its history and natural beauty.
Religious architecture
Among the main religious architectures, the Sanctuary of the Bricchetto is certainly a must-see. This small church, overlooking the Brobbio stream in a panoramic position, is what remains of the largest church in the castle present in the medieval period. The church was frescoed in 1491 by the famous local painter Giovanni Mazzucco, who donated it a well-preserved pictorial cycle on the life of the Madonna. In the nineteenth century, the church was expanded and in 1903 it was declared a sanctuary. In the crypts of the sanctuary are the tombs of the marquises of Pamparato, owners of the nearby castle.
The Chapel of Santo Stefano, on the other hand, is located just outside the town and preserves a pictorial cycle dating back to the fifteenth century covered by the lime used as a disinfectant, after the church was used as a lazaretto.
Morozzo was also surrounded by four convents, but today only two are still visible. The Priory of San Biagio and the female convent of Pogliola (no longer existing) fall within the municipality of Mondovì, while the Convent of San Quirico (Rocca de 'Baldi) and today's Cascina Fabbrica have become agricultural companies. The Chapel of San Grato, on the other hand, is a small church closed to worship and located towards Borgo Rosso.
Finally, the Church of San Rocco, built in the second half of the nineteenth century as the seat of religious corporations, is now used for both worship and public events.
Civil architecture
The province of Cuneo is known for its countryside villas, and Morozzo is no exception. The Castle of the Marquises Cordero di Pamparato is an eighteenth-century country residence that represents an example of architecture in the majestic style and with tones of dark red. After decades of abandonment, restoration work began in 2010 that brought it back to its original form.
The Palazzo Cordero di Montezemolo, on the other hand, is an example of Piedmontese Baroque located in the center of the town, but unfortunately it is not visible to the public as it is privately owned.
In conclusion, Morozzo offers a rather complete and varied historical-architectural heritage, which demonstrates the cultural variety of the area.
## How to visit Morozzo
Morozzo is easily reachable via the A6 Torino-Savona highway, as the exit is only 10 kilometers away. The town is also connected by a public transport service, with some coaches that connect it with the province of Cuneo. For those who love trekking, there are many paths that allow you to admire the natural beauty of the territory, especially of the Marguareis Regional Nature Park.
## Conclusions
Morozzo presents itself as a small Piedmontese town characterized by the beauty of its historical architectures and the purity of its wooded areas. A visit to this place is recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy a peaceful holiday while also discovering local history. Its heritage represents a strong testimony of Piedmontese culture, a unique opportunity to travel back in time and discover the roots of our traditions.
