Sabbia
The story of Sabbia
Sabbia (or Sabia in Piedmontese) is a small hamlet in Varallo, located in the province of Vercelli. This locality has a very ancient history, with archaeological evidence that testifies to the presence of Celtic populations even before the birth of Christ. In particular, there are many "Coppellazione" stones, which were used for propitiatory rites of the religious traditions of the tribes.
According to some studies, the Val Sabbiola was gradually populated, first in the upper part and then downstream. This could have been due to the marauding of predators on the plains and the search for safer places. In 1514, the parish of Sabbia became independent from that of Cravagliana, with the construction of a church that now serves as the town hall. Later, a second oratory dedicated to St. John the Baptist was built, thus becoming the first municipality in the Val Mastallone to build a public cemetery.
Despite the difficult conditions of the territory, characterized by rugged terrain and poor communication routes, the municipality has always maintained its autonomy. After a phase of expansion of pastoral activities and population growth until the First World War, Sabbia underwent a gradual depopulation starting from the twenties. However, in recent years, this phenomenon seems to have stopped and the hamlet has been repopulated by descendants of shepherds and inhabitants of other hamlets, becoming a weekend holiday destination.
Tradition and culinary
The hamlet of Sabbia is famous for its centuries-old traditions, which reflect its ancient history and deep roots in local culture. In particular, the town is known for its typical products, including honey and goat cheese. These are still made using traditional techniques and are highly appreciated by those who visit the area.
How to reach Sabbia
Sabbia can be reached from the Provincial Road 9, which connects it with other municipalities in the area. In addition to the town hall, there are the Italian Post Office and a currently closed accommodation structure. Despite its small size, Sabbia has been the focus of national attention on several occasions.
Sabbia in national news
In the sixties, an RAI crew interviewed the last remaining inhabitant of the hamlet of Erbareti for a documentary called The Hermit of Erbareti. The RAI cameras returned to visit Sabbia in 2016, for several television occasions. In particular, an episode of TG2 Dossier aired on November 13, a connection with the program Life Live aired on December 9, and an episode of TgR Piemonte aired on December 21 brought Sabbia into the national news spotlight.
In summary, Sabbia is a small hamlet in Varallo, characterized by an ancient history and centuries-old traditions. Despite the difficult conditions of the territory, the municipality has always maintained its autonomy. Today, Sabbia is famous for its typical products and natural beauties, becoming more and more a tourist and holiday destination.
