Paesana
Paesana: a place with a rich historical past
Hello friends! Today I want to talk to you about Paesana, an Italian municipality located in the province of Cuneo, in Piedmont. With its just over 2,600 inhabitants, Paesana is a charming place with a rich historical past.
History
First of all, it is interesting to know that Paesana was once the fief of the Marquises of Saluzzo and was contested several times by the Savoy dynasty, who only obtained it definitively in 1601, thanks to the Treaty of Lyon. In the 16th century, on the other hand, Paesana became an important center for the spread of Protestant Reformation ideas, brought by the Waldensian communities of the nearby Pellice and Chisone valleys.
Unfortunately, during World War II, Paesana was the target of reprisals by the Nazi fascists and was burned down on August 1, 1944. On that occasion, partisans and civilians were executed. The people of Paesana, however, have kept the memory of those events with endless devotion, to the point that the Council Hall of the Municipality of Paesana has been dedicated to that historical episode.
Monuments and places of interest
Now let's move on to the monuments and places of interest in Paesana. There are many, but I will only tell you about some of the most beautiful ones.
Let's start with the Church of Santa Maria, built between 1767 and 1783. On the façade of the church, there are two marble statues sculpted by the Lombard school of the 16th century, depicting the Marquis of Saluzzo Ludovico II of Saluzzo and an abbot, perhaps the Abbot of Staffarda. The interior of the church is in Baroque style and is enriched by the frescoes of Borgna.
The Church of Santa Margherita, on the other hand, is located at the entrance of Paesana and has been renovated in Baroque style. Inside the church, you can find remarkable stucco works by Beltramelli, gilded wooden statues, some paintings by Giovanni Battista Arnaud, and a painting by Borgna and Giacone depicting the Baptism of Jesus, dated 1876.
Finally, we cannot fail to mention the Sanctuary of Madonna dell'Oriente, located in Sanfront but close to the border with Paesana. This building dates back to the end of the 18th century and is dedicated to the Annunciation. Tradition has it that it was built in gratitude to the Virgin for having saved a child from the overflowing of the Croesio.
Conclusion
Here we are at the end of our journey through Paesana. We have seen that this Italian municipality is rich in history and monuments, all to be discovered and admired. If you have the opportunity, do not hesitate to visit it!
