Narzole
Narzole: between history and multiculturalism
Narzole, a municipality of around 3,489 inhabitants in the heart of the Piedmont Langhe region, is located on the border of the Cuneo plateau. This city has a history dating back to the settlement of a Celtic-Ligurian community at the confluence of the Tanaro river with the Mondalavia and Giuminella streams. The settlement later became a suburb of the city of Augusta Bagiennorum, located near present-day Bene Vagienna.
Origins
The village was already characterized by a castle during the medieval period, but now there are no traces left. In that period there was also the abbey of "Sancte Virginis Mariae Narzolis", donated by Emperor Ludovico III to the Bishop of Asti Agilulfo, but even this has disappeared.
Later, Narzole became part of the municipality of Cherasco, and with the Napoleonic occupation it became a municipality in 1802, by decree of Napoleon Bonaparte himself.
The Brothers of Narzole
During the French occupation, the band of the so-called "Brothers of Narzole" was active with acts of brigandage, formed by various relatives including Giovanni and Domenico Fournier, Giambattista Rista Scarsello, Stefano and Gioanni Perno, Bartolomeo Gancia, Sebastiano Vivalda, Gian Battista Dogliani, Vincenzo Taricco and Giovanni Scarsello who was considered the leader. Their actions extended to the Monregalese and Liguria regions and were based on intimidation and payment injunctions, acts that for some had political purposes against the occupation because it was said that the band was financed by the English.
Society
From a demographic point of view, Narzole has seen growth in recent decades. According to Istat data as of December 31, 2017, the resident foreign population in Narzole was 449 people. The most significant nationalities listed were Albanians with 113 people, Romanians with 105, Moroccans with 62, Kosovars with 37, and Serbs with 21.
Administration
Narzole has had several administrations over the years. The only twinning of the village is with the French Chambourcy.
Infrastructure and transport
The city was served by its own railway station, called Narzole Station and located along the Bra-Ceva railway. However, the railway was closed following the damage suffered by the flood of 1994.
Conclusions
Narzole is one of the pearls of the Piedmont Langhe region, which has a history dating back to the ancient Celtic and Celtic-Ligurian populations. Today it is a vibrant municipality, with a multicultural population and many places of interest to discover. The city, with the help of new technologies, is trying to bring to light its history and cultural heritage, to let visitors discover this enchanting corner of Italy.
