Castelnuovo Calcea, the “fiery” door of the Belbo Valley that gave birth to the nonconformist Brofferio.
Landscape.
Castelnuovo Calcea stands in a panoramic position in the Belbo Valley.
It covers an area of 8.20 km² and has a population of about 750 inhabitants.
It is about 22 km from Asti, the provincial capital.
History.
The first news of the town, of very ancient origins, is in 1342.
The first inhabited settlements date back to the times of the dominion of the emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
Castelnuovo Calcea was first in the hands of the Astesi, then in the Duchy of Milan.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
The production of fine red wines of Piedmont (Barbera d'Asti, Barbera del Piemonte, and Grignolino d'Asti) is accompanied by typical local recipes.
To be seen.
The parish church (with the nearby exhibition area in which an ancient church bell is exhibited) is located next to the castle of medieval origin, on whose watchtower the splendid belvedere dedicated to Giuseppe Dagna was inaugurated.
The ascent to the castle and the town hall passes through the steps of Piazza Fondo Ponte.
In Castelnuovo Calcea there is also a museum dedicated to its most illustrious citizen, the writer Angelo Brofferio, a prestigious art park, Cascina La Court - Michele Chiarlo, and a giant bench in fuchsia colour.
Curiosity.
Castelnuovo Calcea is also known as the “burned castle” with reference to the sacking and the fire, in 1634, by the captain of the Duke of Savoy, King Stefano, against whom the inhabitants first rebelled.
The revenge led to the destruction of several houses and the castle: since then Castelnuovo Calcea is commonly called “brusà” (burned, in Piedmontese dialect), to distinguish it from the other Castelnuovo.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Castelnuovo Calcea
Cover image source: Municipality of Castelnuovo Calcea