Saliceto
Saliceto: discovering a town in Piedmont
Hello everyone! Today I'm going to talk about a small town in Piedmont, called Saliceto. With its 1243 inhabitants, Saliceto is located in the province of Cuneo and has a very interesting history.
History
According to historical sources, the ancient inhabited nucleus atop the hill known as "della Margherita" existed before the 10th century. However, it is supposed to have been destroyed by the Saracens during the raids between the 9th and 10th centuries along with the two aforementioned villages: Borgovero and Borgoforte. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the hill of Margherita changed its name to the hill of Rosa, which suggests a Templar presence.
In the valley, the "Nuovo" village took over, surrounded by walls and water defenses. This deeply influenced the toponymy of the Media Valle Bormida di Ponente. In fact, many places like Castino, Cortemilia, Gorzegno, Monesiglio, Cengio, Levice, and Camerana have a Latin origin linked to the settlement of Roman cohorts.
The name Saliceto, instead, could derive from the Ligurian Salii or Sallui, who lived north of the Po and were known as Salassi. Therefore, the name of the town would mean "Saliorum Situm" (place of the Ligurian Salii).
Culture and traditions
Saliceto still preserves many testimonies of the past, such as the Parish church of San Giorgio, built in the 15th century in Gothic style, with a Romanesque bell tower. From a cultural point of view, every year the Anniversary of the Battle of Marengo is celebrated, which took place on June 14th, 1800, between the French troops of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and the Austro-Russian ones on the outskirts of the village of Marengo, near Alessandria.
What to see in Saliceto
In addition to the Parish church of San Giorgio, the Church of San Carlo, located in the hamlet of Casotto, is also worth a visit. The church dates back to the 17th century and is characterized by a simple yet elegant façade. Also not to be missed is the Stone Fountain, located in the center of Saliceto, and the Tower of Trees, an ancient watchtower.
Food and local products
The local cuisine of the Town of Saliceto is very tasty and renowned. From first courses to meat dishes, and desserts, there is no shortage of typical specialties of the area. Among the typical products, stand out the Gutturnio wine, famous throughout the Valle Bormida for its intense and decisive flavor, and the cheese of fossa.
How to get to Saliceto
If you want to visit Saliceto, you can easily reach it by car from Cuneo or Asti, following the directions on the SS28 state road. Alternatively, you can take the train to the station of Ceva and from there, continue by bus to Saliceto.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Saliceto is a small Piedmontese town that still preserves many testimonies of its past and traditions. The particular toponymy of the territory linked to the ancient Roman presence and the good local cuisine are just some of the reasons to visit this wonderful village. So, if you have the opportunity, don't forget to visit Saliceto and discover all its beauties.
