Ottiglio
Ottiglio, a town with a glorious past
If you're looking for a place to relax and discover the history of Piedmont, then you must visit Ottiglio. This small town in the province of Alessandria has only 614 inhabitants, but has a glorious past that is worth knowing. In this text, I will talk about the history of Ottiglio, its symbols, demographic evolution and administration.
Symbols that tell the story
Like every self-respecting town, Ottiglio has its own coat of arms and banner. But what do these symbols represent? The town's coat of arms recalls the great importance of agriculture for the town. In particular, the Barbera and Grignolino vines that were fundamental to Ottiglio's economy are represented. In addition, the eight stars in the coat of arms represent the feudal families who dominated the town in the past centuries: Belloni, Burzi, Carelli, Guarneri, Montiglio, Plani, Rampini and Curioni-Guazzi.
The demographic decline of Ottiglio
Unfortunately, the agriculture-based economy was not enough to maintain a stable population. In the last hundred years, the town has lost three-quarters of its inhabitants due to depopulation. This trend does not seem destined to reverse, but there are still many reasons to visit Ottiglio.
Administration and useful links
If you want to know more about the recent history of the town, you can consult the table related to the administrations that have taken place. In addition, on the website of the MonferratoArte association, you can discover a vast historical-bibliographic repertoire of artists active in the extra-urban churches of the diocese of Casale Monferrato.
A valley between nature and culture
Don't forget that Ottiglio is part of the Valle dei Guaraldi, an area characterized by stunning nature and a significant cultural heritage. The Grotte dei Saraceni, for example, are a testimony to the presence of humans already in the prehistoric era in this area. No wonder, the Valle dei Guaraldi has been included in the circuit of the Parks of Piedmont.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ottiglio is a small town that gives you great emotions. If you want to discover the history of Piedmontese agriculture, admire natural beauties or walk among the churches of Monferrato, this is the right place for you. Don't be discouraged by the demographic decline, but come and discover the charm of Ottiglio!
