Priocca
Priocca: A History Rich in Traditions
Priocca, an Italian municipality in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont, is rich in interesting history and traditions. The territory of the municipality is located between the Borbore and Tanaro rivers and had easy communication between the two valleys, allowing the residents of this place to prosper since the early centuries. It is said that the first inhabited nucleus was the Colle della Stella, located on the road that leads from Alba to Asti in a sunny position. Here, the first inhabitants were almost certainly the Ligurians, precisely the Euburiates who settled there because they could monitor a stretch of the Tanaro river that marked the border with the rival tribe of the Statielli (or Stazielli).
The First Inhabitants and Roman Presence
The first inhabitants of Priocca were subjugated by the Romans, who reorganized the villages starting from the larger centers such as Pollenzo, Alba, and Asti. In addition, a Roman road connected these three centers and the Colle della Stella was located near the tenth stone, so perhaps the name Petra Ducia derives from this, later transformed into Priocca. According to some scholars, the current name would derive from "Pe dla Roca," which means at the foot of the hill in Valle Pometto, where the village was located after the Saracen invasions.
Barbarian Invasions and the Presence of the Lombards
From the 3rd century AD onwards, the area suffered barbarian invasions. However, in the church of San Michele, dedicated to the protector of the Lombards, we can see evidence of their presence in the country. After the Carolingian period and the subsequent fall of the Frankish domination, the Bishops asserted their power. In the early years of the 10th century, the Saracens arrived, who had already razed the city of Asti in a first raid. The second raid was the one that certainly struck the territory of Priocca and destroyed the Colle della Stella, forcing the last survivors to take refuge in the Pometto region, near the Colle di San Vittore.
The Feudal Period
During the feudal period, many feudal lords on the left bank of the Tanaro, including Priocca, depended on the Diocese of Asti. In the 11th century, it became a fiefdom of the Roero of Asti, and in the second half of the following century, Benedetto Damiano of the Lords of Castellinaldo obtained the investiture of Priocca from the Duke of Orleans. The Damiano family held the fiefdom of Priocca for over three centuries until its extinction. The 15th century was characterized, in the first half, by the struggles between the French and the Spanish, involving the country in these events.
The Priocca Castle and the Medieval Church
The Priocca Castle, which was built around 1100 by a feudal lord of the Bishop of Asti, stood on a hill not far from San Vittore. Over time, a real medieval village formed around it, surrounded by walls and a moat for defense. The church of Santo Stefano, the oratory of the castle, became the parish church, while San Vittore was gradually abandoned as it was less secure.
Conclusions
In summary, Priocca has a very interesting history, including the presence of the Ligurians, Romans, barbarian invasions, Lombards, feudal lords on the left bank of the Tanaro, the medieval Priocca Castle, and the church of San Vittore. All these historical testimonies have allowed this small municipality to create a strong cultural identity and promote its historical and artistic heritage. Priocca is a charming place worth visiting and discovering.
