Rocca de' Baldi
Welcome to Rocca de' Baldi!
Hello everyone! Today I'm going to talk about the beautiful Rocca de' Baldi, a town located in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont. With its 1577 inhabitants, this place is perfect for those who love tranquility and contact with nature.
Discovering the Geography of Rocca de' Baldi
As the name suggests, the town is located on a rock overlooking the Pesio River. The historic center, which preserves an impressive fortification and some churches of great historical-artistic value, is located on the left bank of the Pesio. The hamlet of Crava, where the Town Hall is located, is instead situated on both the left and right banks of the river, along the Carrù-Cuneo axis.
The Origin of the Name and the Earliest Historical Traces
The name "Rocca de' Baldi" derives from the position of the original village, located on the rock overlooking the Pesio. According to some hypotheses, the entire name of the territory would derive from Ubaldo or Robaldo of the Morozzo family, who built the tower that still represents the visible nucleus of the castle today.
The first documented traces of the settlement date back to the 11th century, but Rocca de' Baldi is first mentioned in a document from 1240. However, the information available about this period is scarce and the only references concern the relationships with the neighboring villages of Morozzo and Mondovì. It is known for certain that in the 15th century roads and works of reclamation and water canalization were built to promote agriculture.
Over time, the town came under the control of various lords, until it was granted to Count Filippo Morozzo. In the 17th century, Rocca de' Baldi participated in the Salt War and at the end of it was established as an autonomous municipality.
What to Visit in Rocca de' Baldi
Despite being a small town, Rocca de' Baldi offers several places of tourist interest. First of all, you cannot miss the Castle, which now houses the Augusto Doro Historical-Ethnographic Museum, where you can breathe the atmosphere of the territory's past and peasant life.
In addition to the Castle, there are several churches that are worth seeing, such as the Church of San Marco Evangelista, the Church of the Crocetta, the Brotherhood of Sant'Antonio and the Chapel of San Rocco. All these buildings present precious works of art and architecture, including frescoes and decorations in Baroque style.
Furthermore, for nature lovers, Rocca de' Baldi offers access to the Crava Morozzo Natural Reserve, located near the Pesio River. Here you can discover the fauna and flora of the territory, immersed in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
Conclusion
Here is a brief overview of Rocca de' Baldi, a town that has so much to offer to those looking for a break from the frenzy of the city and who want to enjoy the peace of the Piedmont countryside. I hope I have piqued your curiosity and made you want to visit it!
