Pecetto Torinese
Discovering Pecetto Torinese
Pecetto Torinese is a small municipality in Piedmont that has a lot to offer its visitors. Located on a hill slope southeast of Turin, it enjoys a mild climate and breathtaking views. The town is famous for its cherry production and its rustic and welcoming appearance provides the backdrop for the everyday life of its inhabitants.
Geography and territory
The territory of Pecetto Torinese consists of a strip that is five kilometers long and just under two kilometers wide, sloping down from the Maddalena Hill (Turin) (located at a height of 715 meters) and the Capra mountain, to the San Pietro village on the border with Trofarello. The landscape is characterized by green hills and exudes a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. The municipality is crossed by three small watercourses that originate in the north in the area of the Hermitage and flow down towards Cambiano and Trofarello: the Costo stream, the Pontetto stream and the Martello stream. The latter dates back to the Battle of Gamenario in 1345 fought between the Marquis of Monferrato and Robert of Anjou and its name would derive from "stream of bones", due to the large numbers of Angevin soldiers who fell near the river.
History
Pecetto Torinese has a thousand-year-old history and has been inhabited since Roman times. One of the most interesting archaeological finds of the area is a brick masonry dating back to the Roman Empire era in the Canape valley. The ancient place name appears for the first time in 1152 in some documents: ''Picetum'' and its variant ''Pecieto''. According to historian Giovanni Flechia, the name derives from "picea", a tree that was once very widespread in the hills surrounding the village. Another historian, Serra, indicated "pecia" as the origin of the name, which means "piece of land" in medieval Latin and by extension, "complex of pecie or particles of territory distributed by lot".
The official foundation of the village dates back to the thirteenth century, as an emanation of the municipality of Chieri, but there are hypotheses regarding a previous settlement attested to by the finding of a "picinum" in a document from 1040, relating to the donation of some lands executed by the Marquis of Romagnano (family) to the monastery of San Silano di Romagnano.
Tourist attractions
Pecetto Torinese offers a wide range of tourist attractions. Among these, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Fontana stands out, commonly called "the big Madonnina" by the Pecetto locals. The sanctuary, built in the eighteenth century, is located in a panoramic position on the hill overlooking the village and is reached via a long staircase that leads to the top. The church is famous for the graceful statue of the Madonna, four meters tall, overlooking the valley below.
Another place of interest is the Castle of Pecetto, an ancient structure dating back to the twelfth century that dominates the village from above. The castle, originally built for defensive purposes, has been transformed into a stately home over the centuries and has recently been restored.
The Church of Saints Fabiano and Sebastiano is another place of worship not to be missed. The church, dating back to the sixteenth century, is very suggestive and preserves important works of art inside, including the sixteenth-century polyptych by Bernardino Lanino.
Local events
The calendar of events in Pecetto Torinese is full of occasions not to be missed. Among the most anticipated events of the year are the patronal festival of San Rocco and the cherry festival. San Rocco is the patron saint of the village and the festival that celebrates him, held on August 16th, is one of the oldest and most solemn in the area. The cherry festival, on the other hand, is held towards the end of June and lasts three days. During the event, you can taste the famous Pecetto cherry and participate in numerous cultural and recreational activities.
Local cuisine
The cuisine of Pecetto Torinese is simple and genuine and is based on high-quality local products. Among the typical dishes of the area are the mixed fried of Piedmont, agnolotti with ragù, and tagliatelle with tomato sauce. Pecetto cherry is the main ingredient of many sweet recipes, including the crostata and the cherry cake.
Conclusion
Pecetto Torinese is a charming location in Piedmont, with a rustic and welcoming charm. The village offers numerous tourist attractions, including the Castle, the Church of Saints Fabiano and Sebastiano, and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Fontana. Local events and delicious local cuisine complete the offer of this hidden gem amidst the Piedmont hills. Come discover Pecetto Torinese and be captivated by its beauty and timeless charm.
