Prunetto
An introduction to Prunetto
Hi everyone! Today I want to talk to you about a small but fascinating municipality in the heart of the Piedmontese Langhe: Prunetto, or Prunèj as they say in Piedmontese. Located in the province of Cuneo, it has only 416 inhabitants but it's rich in history and places of interest.
Monuments and places of interest
Prunetto is located on the right bank of the Bormida valley and enjoys a magnificent panorama of the nearby Uzzone valley, a wild and wooded area where summer temperatures rarely exceed 30°C. These characteristics have attracted many German and Swiss residents who have perfectly integrated into the small community.
The Castle of Prunetto
The castle of Prunetto is the most important monument of the town. Located on a hill at 750 meters above sea level and included in the circuit of "Open Castles" of Lower Piedmont, it was the scene of Italian resistance at the end of World War II. It probably dates back to the 12th-13th century, when the Del Carretto family built the large square tower. Later, the castle passed into the hands of the Scarampi family in the 16th century but remained an independent fiefdom and under the Imperial Feuds until the passage to the House of Savoy in 1735. Despite the centuries that have passed, the castle has undergone few modifications and is almost entirely visitable, including the system of underground tunnels.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine
A few meters from the castle is the small but charming Sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine, built in the 14th century. Inside there are the frescoes of the painter from Monregalese Segurano Cigna dating back to 1478, and on the left wall of the church you can see the engraving of a "six-petal flower", typical of the alpine area and often associated with Celtic culture.
Conclusions
In short, if you want to discover a corner of Piedmont outside the usual tourist itineraries, Prunetto is an excellent choice. Not only can you admire the magnificent panorama, but you can also immerse yourself in the history and local culture by visiting the Castle and the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine. I wish you a good visit!
