Sale delle Langhe
Sale delle Langhe: a dive into the Piedmontese nature
If you're looking for a charming place surrounded by nature, you can't miss Sale delle Langhe, a small municipality in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont with a population of 476 people. In this article, we'll talk about the geographical, historical, and cultural features of the town.
Physical geography
Territory
Sale delle Langhe is located just 10 kilometers south of Ceva and 60 kilometers from Cuneo. The municipality extends on the right bank of the Tanaro River, in the heart of the Mongia-Cevetta valleys, close to the border with Liguria. Sale delle Langhe develops around the Salessola stream and is located at an altitude of 480 meters. The territory is classified as a seismic zone 4, meaning it's not at risk of earthquakes.
Climate
Sale delle Langhe is located in a climate zone E and has a thermal requirement of 2910 degree-days. Heating systems can be turned on for 14 hours a day, from October 15th to April 15th.
Origins of the name
The whole territory of the two municipalities of Sale delle Langhe and Sale San Giovanni was known by the name of "Sale" or "Sale delle Langhe" until 1948 when the Bricco hamlet broke away and became an autonomous municipality called Sale San Giovanni. There's no clear explanation for the origin of the name "Sale," but it's thought to derive from the name of ancient inhabitants of the area or from words that used to designate a cave, a room, or a village.
History
The territory of Sale delle Langhe has been inhabited since Roman times, as demonstrated by the discovery of an inscription dating between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. In the 9th century, the territory suffered from Saracen raids. The first written documents date back to the year 1000 when the territory of Sale was mentioned in Ottone III's donation acts in favor of Bishop Bernardo.
In the 12th century, Sale became part of the Marquisate of Ceva and was granted Statutes by the community in 1330. In 1531, the territory passed under the dominion of the House of Savoy, by the will of Emperor Charles V.
In 1796, the territory was looted by Napoleonic troops and suffered the consequences of various natural disasters that put a strain on the locals. In the 19th century, the construction of the Bra-Ceva railway and the expansion of the road network brought prosperity to the town.
In 1948, the Bricco hamlet broke away and became an autonomous municipality named Sale San Giovanni.
Symbols
The coat of arms of Sale delle Langhe consists of the letter "S" in the upper left corner and the letter "L" in the lower right corner, both in yellow color and separated by a transverse bar in perspective with a white upper base and yellow borders. All of this on a white background.
What to visit in Sale delle Langhe
If you decide to visit Sale delle Langhe, you can't miss a stroll through the streets of the town, discovering its typical architecture, among stone farmhouses and small country churches. We recommend visiting the parish church of San Bartolomeo, dating back to the 18th century, and the chapel of St. Anthony of Padua.
For nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, Sale delle Langhe offers numerous hiking and mountain biking trails. In particular, the Sentiero delle Note is a 12-kilometer path that crosses places of historical and landscape importance.
Local cuisine
In Piedmont, cuisine is a real culinary treasure, with dishes aimed at enhancing local products. Thanks to its geographical position, Sale delle Langhe offers a wide choice of local gastronomic specialties.
Among the typical recipes of the territory, you can't miss trying bagna cauda, a dish made with anchovy sauce, garlic, oil, and butter, served with cardoons and peperoni cruschi. There are also fine local wines such as Dolcetto d'Alba.
Conclusions
Sale delle Langhe is an enchanted place surrounded by nature and Piedmontese history. If you're looking for the perfect destination for a day trip or a vacation focused on relaxation and good food, Sale delle Langhe is the right place for you.
