Pollone
Welcome to Pollone!
Pollone, an Italian city in the province of Biella in Piedmont, with a population of approximately 2036 people, is a place full of history and natural beauty. In the following text, I will take you on a journey to discover the geography, history, and important figures of this beautiful Italian municipality.
Let's get to know Pollone's geography
The territory
Pollone is located in the north of the Alta Valle di Biella and is part of the Comunità Montana Valle dell'Elvo. The Oremo stream, a tributary of the Elvo, flows through the territory. The municipality borders Sordevolo to the west, Biella to the east, and Occhieppo Superiore to the south. To the northwest is Monte Mucrone, from where you can access the vast mountainous and wooded area of the Sacro Monte di Oropa Natural Reserve. To the northeast, there is the Burcina-Felice Piacenza Special Nature Reserve. The latter was created in the mid-19th century by textile entrepreneurs Piacenza and, since the mid-1930s, has been owned by the municipality of Biella.
Pollone's history
Pollone has a long history that dates back to the 5th century BC. Traces of a Celtic hill fort are visible in the current Burcina-Felice Piacenza Special Nature Reserve. The ancient Romans dedicated here an "ara apollonis" to the god Apollo, from whom the toponym may derive. It may also derive from the term "Pollone" (botany) given to newly born twigs, given the dense vegetation of the area. During the Lombard Kingdom, the municipality was the scene of several raids. Pollone was only mentioned in documents from the 13th century onwards.
After becoming part of the Duchy of Savoy in 1377, the village suffered administrative decline from the 16th century onwards. It took almost two centuries to build the church dedicated to St. Eusebius the priest, Roman confessor. In 1623, the particular coat of arms of the municipality was created, with the motto "Paupertas summis obstat ingeniis" ("poverty is an obstacle to the highest intellects"). Count Giacinto Nomis di Valfenera purchased Pollone in 1722. Thanks to the contribution of one of his descendants, politician Antonio Nomis di Pollone, the village experienced a flourishing rebirth.
The city has also seen the birth of some important figures such as Alfredo Frassati, philanthropist Luciana Frassati, and the founder of the De Agostini publishing house in Novara. The city was also the summer residence of Italian politician and philosopher Benedetto Croce, and the current civic library, which was commissioned to architect Leonardo Mosso in 1960, was dedicated to him by engineer Gustavo Colonnetti.
Conclusion
Pollone is a natural and historical enclave in the Alta Valle di Biella. The Oremo stream, the Burcina-Felice Piacenza Special Nature Reserve, and Monte Mucrone make this municipality an ideal place for nature and outdoor sports lovers. The influence of the Nomis family, the birth of important figures, and the interesting historical background make it a place worth visiting and getting to know.
