All crazy for the “babaci”, the life-size puppets that “tell” the life and history of Maranzana.
Landscape.
Maranzana rises in the southeast of the province of Asti.
It covers an area of 4.37 km² and has a population of about 250 inhabitants.
It is about 42 km from Asti, the provincial capital.
History.
The history of Maranzana begins in 500 BC. as an agricultural settlement.
The territory was devastated by invasions until the eighth century.
Maranzana was a fief of the Acquis Committee.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
The economy hinges on viticulture and the excellent agricultural resources of the area.
To be seen.
The village is dominated by a medieval castle.
Not far away, we find the parish Church of Saints Giovanni Battista e Emerenziana.
Also, worth seeing, are the Church of Nostra Signora Annunziata and the Church of Saint Rocco.
In Maranzana there are a museum and a monument dedicated to its most famous citizen, the navigator and explorer Giacomo Bove.
The Municipality is included in the Safeguard Zone called “Bosco delle Sorti - La Communa”.
Curiosity.
To welcome the visitors of Maranzana are the babaci, splendid rag puppets made by willing women of the village.
The path of babaci starts from the Maranzana winery parking lot.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Maranzana
Cover image source: Provincia di Asti