Calamandrana: between the painted hills of Barbera and Moscato, the fortress that dominates the Belbo Valley.
Landscape.
Calamandrana is divided into two areas: Calamandrana Alta and Calamandrana Bassa.
It covers an area of 12.79 km² and has a population of about 1700 inhabitants.
It is about 35 km from the provincial capital, Asti.
History.
Calamandrana lands were formerly occupied by populations of Celtic origin.
The toponym “Calamandrana” appears for the first time in a document dated 1129.
After various changes of power (from Bonifacio del Vasto to San Marzano di Canelli, first, and from Federico II to the Marquises of Monferrato, to the Marquisate of Incisa, and finally, in the early 1300s, to the Asinari, then), in the mid-seventeenth century Calamandrana passed to the Ducal House of Mantua and to the Savoy family.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
Calamandrana is a land with a strong wine vocation.
The vineyards of Barbera and Moscato are particularly widespread; the wines can be tasted in the various cellars scattered throughout the area and in the Wine Parlor (Bottega del Vino).
To be seen.
Calamandrana “drops” a trio of architectural beauties not to be missed: the Church of Saint Giovanni alle Conche, the parish church of the Concezione di Maria Vergine and the Castle.
Today the old manor, privately owned, is used as a dwelling.
We also recommend a visit to the other parish church, in the lower part of the village, the one dedicated to the Sacred Heart (Sacro Cuore).
Finally, the Murales in Viale Moraglio and the Artist's Benches in Piazza Dante are worthy of note.
Curiosity.
In Calamandrana, in 1704, Giulio Cesare Cordara a Jesuit and an Italian historian was born.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Calamandrana
Cover image source: Provincia di Asti