Paruzzaro
Welcome to Paruzzaro: the history and beauty of the Piemontese hill town
Welcome to Paruzzaro, a charming hill town located in eastern Piemonte, on the border with Invorio and the lower Novarese. With its 2153 inhabitants, Paruzzaro is a hidden gem among the Piemontese hills, offering much to nature, history and art lovers. In this article, we will guide you through the discovery of the beauties of Paruzzaro, telling its millennia-old history and the most important monuments.
Physical geography of Paruzzaro
Paruzzaro is located at about 334 meters above sea level and lies in a hilly area of eastern Piemonte, on the border with other municipalities such as Invorio and the lower Novarese. This privileged position makes Paruzzaro a perfect place for those who love nature and open spaces.
Origins of the name
The origin of Paruzzaro's name is uncertain, although there are some theories about it. According to some scholars, the name would derive from "Paluciarius", which means "paling", referring to a possible pile-dwelling origin. Others, however, think that the name derives from the Piedmontese word "parussina", which means "coal tits", considering that the area is rich in this species of birds.
The history of Paruzzaro
The history of Paruzzaro has very ancient roots, and although there are not many certain traces of human settlement in pre-Roman and Roman times, there are some important historical testimonies that reveal the importance of Paruzzaro over the centuries. In a document from 1034 AD, Paruzzaro is mentioned with the name of "loco Olegio qui dicitur Paruciaro", while in other documents it is defined as "longobardorum" due to the close relationship with the Lombards.
Paruzzaro in the Visconti period
In the Middle Ages, the Paruzzaro area passed into the hands of the Castello family and later to the Counts of Biandrate. From the 13th to the 18th century, Paruzzaro became part of the Visconti island, together with other municipalities such as Invorio Maggiore and Superiore, Oleggio Castello, Montrigiasco and Massino Visconti. During this period, Paruzzaro was included in the feud of Invorio Maggiore and in the Court of Massino Visconti.
The recent history of Paruzzaro
In 1928, the municipality of Paruzzaro was expanded with the addition of the hamlets of Montrigiasco and Oleggio Castello. However, in 1948, Oleggio Castello became an autonomous municipality again, while Montrigiasco became a hamlet of Arona in 1960. The economy of Paruzzaro is mainly based on the manufacturing sector, with numerous companies operating in the food, chemical, textile, footwear, woodworking, paper, rubber and plastic processing industries.
Monuments and places of interest in Paruzzaro
Paruzzaro possesses a valuable artistic and cultural heritage. Among the most important monuments are the Church of San Siro, the Church of San Marcello, the two gates of Borgo Agnello and the Parchetto. The Church of San Marcello is particularly interesting because it contains an important cycle of frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries.
The society of Paruzzaro
In recent years, the population of Paruzzaro has steadily grown, from just over 1900 inhabitants in 2001 to over 2150 inhabitants in 2021.
Anthropogenic geography and the hamlets of Paruzzaro
Paruzzaro includes the hamlets of Borgo Agnello, San Grato and Sant'Eufemia. During the fascist period, Oleggio Castello and Montrigiasco were also aggregated to the municipality of Paruzzaro, but later these two municipalities regained their autonomy.
The administration of Paruzzaro
The administration of Paruzzaro has been represented by several municipal councils over the years.
Conclusions
Paruzzaro is a town rich in history, culture and natural beauty, which never fails to surprise its visitors. Its hillside location and proximity to other Piemontese towns make it the ideal place for a day trip. Come and discover Paruzzaro and let yourself be enchanted by its beauty!
