Pecetto di Valenza
Pecetto di Valenza: history and places of interest
If you are looking for a small town rich in history and places of interest in Piedmont, Pecetto di Valenza will not disappoint you. With its 1230 inhabitants, this town in the province of Alessandria can boast a history that dates back centuries and several places worth a visit.
The History of Pecetto
The history of Pecetto di Valenza has ancient roots. Originally, the town was known as ''Pecetum Valentinum'' and was located near the present-day city of Valenza. Pecetto's strategic location on the banks of the Po River made it important as a military outpost and economic center. During the Roman period, a large patrician villa was built, combining country residence, farm, and factory.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Pecetto was evangelized by missionaries from the Diocese of Pavia. Later, it became part of the Marca Aleramica and became a fief of the bishop of Vercelli and the lords of Occimiano. In the 13th century, a castle was built on the top of the tufaceous cliff that dominates the northern part of the town. In addition to being an imposing fortress, the castle also had an economic function, as the Via Julia Augusta passed by it.
The history of Pecetto is not immune to wars and struggles for power. The castle was destroyed in 1557 during the War of the Vespers, a struggle for dominance in Italy. Later, Pecetto passed to Casa Savoia.
The symbols of Pecetto
The coat of arms and the gonfalon of Pecetto di Valenza were granted by decree of the President of the Republic in 1999. The gonfalon is blue.
Monuments and places of interest
The cultural heritage of Pecetto di Valenza is rich and varied. Among the places of interest to visit are:
- Church of Santa Maria and San Remigio: located in the historic center of the town, the church dates back to the 13th century. After various renovation projects, the church now has a Gothic style.
- Geosite Pecetto di Valenza: located near the historic center, the Geosite is an important archaeological site where the remains of the Roman villa from the Republican and Imperial period were found.
La Rocca (naturalistic garden and astronomical park)
La Rocca is one of the most interesting places to visit in Pecetto di Valenza. The naturalistic garden and the astronomical park were opened to the public in 2009 thanks to the contribution of the municipal administration and the "Galileo" group of amateur astronomers from Alessandria.
La Rocca, located on the top of the hill overlooking the town, houses a collection of ancient astronomical instruments. Among these, there is a sundial, circles, plinths, and a large compass rose. The area also has stations for the installation of telescopes.
One of the most fascinating places in the park is the Path of the Planets. This circular path develops along the perimeter of the cliff and hosts, at proportional distances from the Sun, the symbols, images, and data of the major bodies of the solar system. It is a true immersive and engaging experience for astronomy enthusiasts and anyone who wants to spend a few hours in the company of nature.
Pecetto di Valenza is a small but fascinating town. If you are looking for a place to spend some time in the company of history and nature, Pecetto will not disappoint you.
