Piedicavallo
Welcome to Piedicavallo!
Hello everyone! Today we'll talk about a small Piedmontese village with 184 inhabitants: Piedicavallo! Located in the Alta Valle Cervo, this little town is a treasure to discover for those who love tranquility and nature. Let's find out together about its physical geography, the origins of its name, and its interesting history.
Physical Geography
Piedicavallo is located at the head of the Valle del Cervo, and its municipal territory includes both the valley stretch that follows the Cervo stream, and the valleys of Irogna, Mologna, and Chiobbia, which are the first three tributaries of the main stream. Some areas in the highest parts of these valleys do not belong to the municipality of Piedicavallo, but are owned by other towns in the lower valley or central Biella, which use these high pastures for their livestock farming.
The only hamlet in the municipality is Montesinaro, which has 63 residents and is located just over a kilometer from the municipal center.
Origins of the Name
The name of the village may derive from the fact that it was the last inhabited center of the valley that could be reached on horseback, while beyond it, it became necessary to continue on foot. Another hypothesis derives the name "Piedicavallo" from "Pe' d’cò d'val", i.e. the location of the village at the foot of the mountain.
History
Piedicavallo was initially an alpine pasture, and only in the fifteenth century did it begin to have a stable population. Its territory was part of Andorno Micca until the creation of the municipality of Campiglia Cervo in 1694. Piedicavallo obtained full municipal autonomy in 1700, including also Montesinaro, Rosazza, and Beccara. Rosazza became an independent municipality in 1906, including the hamlet of Beccara.
In the past, the practice of seasonal emigration of the men from the village was common, as they moved for many months of the year to Italy or abroad to work in construction sites. However, the new ideas that the valley people came into contact with led to a series of initiatives of collective usefulness, such as the creation of a nursery and elementary school, of the Regina Margherita theater, and of a mutual aid society, founded in 1872. In the post-war period, the economy became increasingly linked to tourism.
Conclusions
Don't miss the opportunity to visit this beautiful mountain village. Piedicavallo is the perfect choice for those who love nature, traditional culture, and are far from the hectic city life. Thank you for reading, see you soon!
