Rocchetta Tanaro: four thousand years of history and heroism among the fine rows of Barbera.
Landscape.
Rocchetta Tanaro rises in the High Monferrato.
It covers an area of 1600 hectares and has a population of about 1500 inhabitants.
It is about 16 km from Asti, the provincial capital.
History.
The history of Rocchetta Tanaro begins 4000 years ago when the first settlements settled near the Tanaro river.
The territory was inhabited by the Romans, as confirmed by archaeological findings.
Rocchetta was dominated by the Aleramici, by the Marquisate of Incisa.
Towards the end of the 14th century, the territory passed under the dominion of the Visconti
In 1738, Rocchetta was ceded to the king of Sardinia.
Notes: historical notes taken from the "Corografia Astigiana" by Gian Secondo De Canis, published by the Municipality of Rocchetta Tanaro.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
The wines of the territory are Barbera and Grignolino.
To be seen.
The small church of Saint Maria de Flexio is worth a visit, with its Romanesque apse.
In the Sant'Emiliano region, on the other hand, there is the eponymous church.
In the concentric, the Salone Santa Caterina is worthy of mention.
The Parish Church also retains Romanesque traces in the bell tower. The famous economist Battista Vasco (1733-1796) was buried here.
Also, worth seeing is the Rocchetta Tanaro Natural Park, where the presence of Il Frutteto della Memoria and the “big beech” is noted, and the “Il Verneto” Nature Reserve, a WWF oasis.
Another monumental tree present in the area is the Virginia Juniper.
In Rocchetta there are also two museums: the Tanaro and Farmers' Museum (Museo del Tanaro e delle Contadinerie) and the Museum of wine labels.
Also, worth mentioning is the Castle of the Marquises Incisa della Rocchetta, now privately owned (not open to visitors).
For outdoor lovers, remember that, in Frazione Asinara, the giant pencils made by Aldo Divano and the Ferro del Mare Padano, an artistic installation by Sergio Omedè, are admirable.
Curiosity.
The Municipality of Rocchetta Tanaro was awarded the silver medal for military valor for its contribution during the Second World War.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Rocchetta Tanaro
Cover image source: Municipality of Rocchetta Tanaro