Nucetto
Welcome to Nucetto: a small gem in Piedmont
Welcome to Nucetto, a municipality in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont, where life flows peacefully in the valley of the Tanaro river. With a population of only 403 inhabitants, Nucetto seems to have remained untouched over time, offering its residents and visitors an authentic glimpse of the Italian landscape. In this brief article, we will take a journey to discover the geographic, historical, and cultural features of this enchanting Italian location.
Physical Geography
Nucetto is located on the banks of the Tanaro river, at an altitude of 450 meters. The municipality's territory covers approximately 15 square kilometers and is classified as seismic zone 4, with low possibility of seismic damage. Nucetto's climate is influenced by its location in climatic zone E, with a thermal requirement of 2873 degree days. The current regulations allow for heating systems to be turned on for fourteen hours a day, from October 15 to April 15.
Origin of the name
The name Nucetto comes from the Latin word "nucetum," which means "land where Juglans grow abundantly." This name was chosen due to the presence of a large number of walnut trees in the area.
History
Nucetto has been inhabited since Roman times, as evidenced by the existence of a bridge over the Tanaro river dating back to that era. The first documented record of Nucetto dates back to April 967, with the toponym "Nocetum" appearing on a diploma of Otto I of Saxony issued in Ravenna. From that moment, the area of Nucetto became part of the Aleramo di Monferrato March.
In 1142, the noble family of Nucetto was invested in those lands, and the "Castrum Noxeti" became part of the Marquisate of Ceva. From then on, Nucetto followed the fate of Ceva, including an attempted uprising by the Nucetto family and the subsequent re-submission by Giorgio II di Ceva, marquis of Ceva, who in turn submitted to Asti in order to cope with his enemies.
In 1414, Amedeo VIII of Savoy conquered the lands of the Marquisate of Ceva, including Nucetto, devastating its castle. In 1515, Nucetto definitively submitted to the dominion of the Savoy family. During World War II, Nucetto gained some importance as it was in the interest of the Wehrmacht to maintain control over its railway and road bridges, but despite this, it was not the scene of any significant battles.
Symbols
The coat of arms of Nucetto is described as "Black with three gold stripes in the heart a two-headed crowned marchioness eagle." Essentially, it is the marchioness coat of arms of the Ceva di Nucetto family, which had jurisdiction over the municipal territory for a long period. The double-headed eagle in the emblem has an obvious imperial derivation, confirming the city's historical importance over the centuries.
Monuments and places of interest
The Castle of Nucetto, whose original nucleus dates back to the tenth century, is a historically significant monument. Although it was almost completely destroyed by the troops of Amedeo VI of Savoy in 1414, the castle was restored by the Nucetto di Ceva family who had regained possession of it. Subsequently, the castle was donated by Giovanni di Ceva to the Savoy family who included it in the dowry of Beatrice d'Aviz, the consorts of the Portuguese sovereigns. The Castle of Nucetto played an active role in the Italian campaigns of 1794 and 1795, but was destroyed along with other fortresses in the area by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
Despite being a relatively small municipality, Nucetto is an ideal place for those who want to enjoy the beauty of Italian nature, history, and culture. Thanks to its enchanting location, Nucetto is a gem in Piedmont that is definitely worth discovering.
