Vinchio
Welcome to Vinchio: a journey through the Piedmont hills
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about the beautiful town of Vinchio, in the province of Asti, located in the charming region of Piedmont. With its 567 inhabitants, Vinchio is a small community that enjoys its peaceful life on the hills, among vineyards and fine wines.
A dream location
The territory of Vinchio is divided on a group of hills, between the splendid Langhe and Monferrato. Here we find one of the most important nature reserves in the area: the Special Nature Reserve of Val Sarmassa. It is famous for the cultivation of vines from which high-quality grapes are produced, both white and red. In fact, one of the typical wines of this area is the precious Barbera, cultivated especially in the areas of the district ''San Pancrazio'' and ''Bric Tre Vescovi''. It takes its name from the latter because it is a historic intersection of the territories of different dioceses.
History of Vinchio
The toponym Vinchio could derive from the Latin term ”Viginti”, which means "twenty" Roman miles. This is because the town was located along an ancient route that probably started from Alessandria or Acqui Terme. Or, the name could be derived from the Celtic-Ligurian root “vi-nt”, which means "height".
Vinchio has a long history, dating back to the Celtic and then Roman civilizations. It was freed from the Saracens by Aleramo del Monferrato. In the twelfth century, a small village began to populate thanks to the migrations of some inhabitants of the nearby Castelnuovo Calcea. Later, the town became the property of the Marquis of Savona Bonifacio del Vasto and then under the Episcopal power, contested between the Diocese of Acqui and the Diocese of Alessandria. In the fourteenth century it passed under the lordship of the County of Asti and then to the noble Solaro of Asti. In the fifteenth century, it passed to the Scarampi Counts, then to Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Pavia, until it was annexed by the Empire of Charles V of Habsburg. In the eighteenth century, the fief passed to the Savoy House, which annexed it to the Kingdom of Sardinia.
In the twentieth century, Vinchio was the scene of the Second World War and became a place of refuge for displaced persons and anti-fascists. Vinchio suffered roundups and summary executions in June and July 1944. For this reason, the city has an important commemorative museum called ''Casa della Memoria della Resistenza e della Deportazione di Vinchio''.
The rebirth of Vinchio
Recently, Vinchio has become a highly coveted tourist destination and has redeveloped the historic center of the town. The parish church of Saints Marco and Vincenzo was expanded in the eighteenth century, but the church of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity, better known as the church of the Beaten, was built in the sixteenth century with a bell tower dating back to the nineteenth century.
In addition to the monuments and places of historical interest, Vinchio is famous for its food and wine excellence. Among these, the precious Vinchio asparagus is cultivated with care by local families and served in the best restaurants in the region. Wine lovers can also taste the Barbera DOCG and other high-quality wines, accompanied by typical dishes of Piedmontese cuisine.
Conclusions
Vinchio is a hidden gem among the Piedmont hills, perfect for a day trip or a vacation immersed in nature and history. If you love good food, breathtaking landscapes and the relaxed atmosphere of the countryside, Vinchio is the perfect place for you!
