Sordevolo
Sordevolo: a small town in the Biella Alps
Hello friends, today I want to talk to you about a beautiful Piedmontese village called Sordevolo, located in the province of Biella. This municipality has about 1293 inhabitants and is located in an ideal position nestled between the mountains of the Biella Alps.
Physical geography
The name Sordevolo in Piedmontese suggests the presence of a spring or a source. In fact, the origins of the name could derive from this Latin word: surdabulus, surgibulum. The municipality extends from Monte Mars, the highest peak of the Biella Alps, to the valley of the Elvo stream. Sordevolo borders the neighboring town of Pollone to the east and extends to the slopes of Mount Mucrone, which overlooks the Aosta Valley. The territory also includes a splendid alpine area, where the famous Trappa is located, an ancient Cistercian monastery that in the 18th century hosted for some years the Cistercian Orders fleeing from the French Revolution.
History
Sordevolo has a very ancient history and was already mentioned in a document from 827 because it was part of the Archbishopric of Vercelli's jurisdiction. During the Middle Ages, the municipality was feudalized to the noble Avogadro, Visconti, and then to the Casa Savoia in 1379. In 1404 it returned to the Avogadro family and, like many other towns in the area, the period around the end of the 16th century was characterized by periods of poverty. The local economy was based mainly on agriculture and pastoralism.
The turning point for Sordevolo came in the 18th century thanks to the Bruco and Ambrosetti families who gave a strong impulse to the textile economy, with the avant-garde production of Panno fini, favored by a territory rich in watercourses and expanses of pastures for cows and sheep. With the economic help of Monte di Pietà and the support of Gregorio Ambrosetti, Sordevolo experienced a period of flourishing splendor in the textile economy, so much so as to become the producer of at least 70% of all military clothing supplies for the Sardinian Army.
The Trappa, the Renaissance monastery
One of the most interesting places to visit in Sordevolo is the Trappa. This suggestive five-story building was built in 1750 at an altitude of 1000 meters to accommodate textile workers but was used as a monastery by the monks of the Cistercian Orders of the Stricter Observance, fleeing from France following the French Revolution. The Trappa was a place of work and prayer, where the monks practiced agriculture and wool processing. After the suppression of religious orders, the monastery was used for agricultural purposes and later became the "cellular museum" of the Ecomuseum of Biella dedicated to local building tradition. The Trappa has been restored and now hosts exhibitions and cultural events.
Folkloristic events
In the summer, Sordevolo hosts the famous "Passione," a show that reconstructs the Passion of Christ. This event attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year and offers a unique spectacle. The historic center of the village becomes a real theatrical set, with the participation of the citizens who wear period costumes and perform the various stages of the Passion of Christ. The Passione di Sordevolo is a very suggestive and engaging event that attracts many spectators every year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sordevolo is an ideal destination for those who love nature, history, and culture. This municipality offers the opportunity to visit the Trappa, a place full of history and charm, to walk immersed in the nature of the Biella Alps and to attend the suggestive representation of the Passione. A place not to be missed, in short!
