Villar San Costanzo
Villar San Costanzo: a Piedmontese village
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk about a village in Piedmont, specifically in the province of Cuneo: Villar San Costanzo. With its 1,568 inhabitants, this place is famous for its history, monuments, and territory. If you want to know more, keep reading!
History
The toponym "Villar" is widespread in many Piedmontese locations and seems to be linked to the Occitan language spoken in the Middle Ages. In the case of Villar San Costanzo, the name recalls the figure of San Costanzo, a Christian martyr who would have defeated a dragon in this area. Over the centuries, the village has undergone numerous vicissitudes, including several incursions by Saracens. In the twelfth century, Villar San Costanzo became the seat of a Benedictine abbey, known as the Abbey of San Costanzo de Canneto. During the Napoleonic and Risorgimento wars, the village suffered great damage, but quickly recovered thanks to the commitment of its inhabitants.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Villar San Costanzo offers many places of interest for those who love nature and art. Among these, we highlight the Special Nature Reserve of Ciciu del Villar, a chalky area that hosts very suggestive rock formations. Also not to be missed is the Abbey of San Costanzo de Canneto, a religious complex of great historical and artistic value. Inside there are the Parish Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, the crypt, and the chapel of San Giorgio, which houses frescoes from the thirteenth century. Another place to visit is the Sanctuary of San Costanzo al Monte, a Romanesque-Gothic building dating back to the twelfth century. The sanctuary has been recently restored and can be visited thanks to the commitment of volunteers for art.
Society
Demographic evolution
As I mentioned earlier, Villar San Costanzo has 1,568 inhabitants. The village experienced a period of growth between 1951 and 1981, when the population rose from 1,110 to 1,643 inhabitants. However, the number of residents has since decreased, mainly due to emigration to big cities.
Ethnic groups and foreign minorities
According to data provided by the National Institute of Statistics, there are 124 foreign citizens in Villar San Costanzo. Among these, the most represented nationality is Romanian, with 30 people.
Administration
As for the administration of the village, I should mention that Villar San Costanzo has a mayor and a Municipal Council. In the past, the village was part of the Mountain Community of Grana and Maira Valleys, but today this organization no longer exists.
Twinning
Villar San Costanzo is twinned with Rosières, a French municipality in the Rhone Valley. This twinning arose from the commitment of the two villages to promote cultural and tourist exchanges.
Other administrative information
To deepen administrative issues, I recommend that you consult the website of the Municipality of Villar San Costanzo. You will find all the necessary information to better know the village.
Conclusions
Here's a brief presentation of Villar San Costanzo, a Piedmontese village that deserves to be discovered. I hope I've piqued your curiosity: if you have the chance to visit the village, don't hesitate to do so!
