Passerano Marmorito: in the ancient fiefdom of the Radicati the roots of Pope Francis.
Landscape.
Passerano Marmorito is located in the northwest area of Astigiano.
It covers an area of 12.03 km² and has a population of about 440 inhabitants.
It is about 30 km from Asti, the provincial capital.
History.
The territory was an ancient fief of the Radicati family, who owned the three manors in the area.
Passerano Marmorito is a recently formed institution: it was founded in 1929 by the union of the municipalities of Passerano, Primeglio-Schierano, and part of Marmorito.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
The tripe is the protagonist on the tables of Passerano Marmorito, and it is dedicated to it, a festival that is celebrated in the month of October.
Also, worth mentioning is the wine production with the fine Malvasia di Schierano.
To be seen.
The main attention of tourists visiting Passerano Marmorito is surely represented by the Castle of Passerano, one of the most beautiful manor houses in the province of Asti.
Of particular architectural value are also the Castle of Primeglio, which with the Church of Saint Lorenzo dominates the hamlet of Primeglio, the remains of the Castle of Marmorito, the Passerano Ancient Mint, today the seat of the civic library and place where marriages are celebrated civil, the majestic parish church of Saints Pietro e Paolo Apostoli, the Tower of Schierano.
The territory of Passerano Marmorito also offers interesting artistic and naturalistic insights: the Woods of Muscandia (Boschi di Muscandia), the colony of bats, geological outcrops at Marmorito, the Giant Pastel Green Bench and the Window on the wall in Schierano hamlet, the Giant pencils installed along the avenue of Passerano Marmorito.
Curiosity.
The roots of Pope Francis lie between the towns of Passerano Marmorito and Cocconato; the great-grandfather, Giuseppe Bergoglio, was born in 1816 in Schierano.
The town was also made famous by the character of Carlino in the Drive In program, played by the late Giorgio Faletti, an artist, and writer from Asti.
Many still remember the famous jokes of Carlino, including: “I am from Passerano Marmorito, the village is small…people murmur!”
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Passerano Marmorito
Cover image source: Provincia di Asti