Pont-Canavese
Canavese: a region rich in nature and history
Canavese is an Italian region located in Piedmont, between the Morainic Serra of Ivrea, the Po, the Stura di Lanzo, and the Graian Alps. This territory encompasses significant urban centres such as Ivrea, Chivasso, Caluso, Cirié, Cuorgnè, Rivarolo Canavese, and Castellamonte. In this text, we will explore the physical geography of Canavese, its most important locations, and the natural reserves present in the area.
Physical Geography
The Canavese territory is characterized by a vast plain area around Chivasso, dominated by the Morainic Amphitheatre of Ivrea and the mountain range of Gran Paradiso. The region is crossed by several rivers, including the Dora Baltea, Chiusella, Soana, Orco, and Malone and has numerous glacial lakes such as Lake Candia and Lake Viverone, located on the eastern border with the Province of Biella.
Moreover, Canavese is divided into different areas: Upper Canavese, Cuorgnè surroundings, Rivarolo Canavese, Castellamonte, and the Orco, Val Soana, and Malone valleys. Eporediese, Ivrea surroundings bordered by its Morainic Amphitheatre of Ivrea. Low Canavese starts from the municipality of Leini and includes the surroundings of San Giusto Canavese, Caluso, Volpiano, and Chivasso.
Parks and Natural Reserves
The Canavese territory has several parks and natural reserves, such as the Gran Paradiso National Park, the Torinese Po Park, the Lake Candia Nature Park, the Belmonte Sacred Mount, the Monti Pelati Nature Reserve, and the Vauda Nature Reserve. These areas are suitable for excursions, outdoor activities and for admiring the local fauna and nature.
Locations
The historical city of Canavese is Ivrea, a city of Celtic origins that became a Roman municipality in the 1st century BC., The toponym, however, derives from the ancient hamlet of Cuorgnè, situated on the banks of the Orco River, where even today, the town of Cuorgnè is located. The region's inhabitants are called "canavesani."
History
Prehistory
Several archaeological findings dating back to the Neolithic period have been found in Canavese. After the end of the last glaciation, about 12,000 years ago, the only livable environment in the Alpine arc was the mountains, where an ecosystem comparable to that of the current sub-Arctic tundra provided an ideal habitat for numerous herds of ungulates.
Roman Era
In Roman times, Canavese became an important transit point for its communication routes towards France and Switzerland. The city of Ivrea, for example, became an important commercial centre where spices, fabrics, and precious metals were exchanged, thanks to trade with Gaul and the Middle East.
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, Canavese was a strategic point for the wars between feudal lords and for the conflicts between Ghibellines and Guelfs. During this period, Ivrea became a fiefdom of the Counts of Acaia, while the village of Viverone became a possession of the Counts of Biandrate.
Modern Age
In the seventeenth century, Canavese was the scene of war during the War of the Spanish Succession. During this period, the cities of the region suffered heavy damage and looting by French and Austrian troops. Later, in the eighteenth century, Canavese became an important textile production centre, thanks to the presence of numerous mills and factories.
Contemporary Age
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Canavese followed the historical events of Piedmont, with the passage from the kingdom of Sardinia to the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 and the participation in the First and Second World War. Today Canavese is one of the most developed regions in Piedmont, thanks to the presence of numerous industrial and touristic activities.
In conclusion, Canavese is a region rich in history and nature, with numerous characteristic locations and natural reserves where it is possible to enjoy the beauty of the local fauna and flora. Furthermore, its strategic location makes it a place of great importance for commerce and passages between countries.
