San Marzano Oliveto
Encyclopedia
San Marzano Oliveto is a comune
(municipality) in the Province of Asti
in the Italian
region Piedmont
, located about 60 km southeast of Turin
and about 20 km southeast of Asti
.
to Asti
.
The landscape of San Marzano Oliveto is reminiscent of the hilltop villages of Tuscany
and Umbria
with its almost mystical calm, an irresistible attraction for foreigners, many of whom live here for at least part of the year.
Among these is the German painter Viktor Müllerstaedt, whose works, exhibited in various local exhibitions, are landscapes heavily influenced by fifteenth century Italian art.
, the first Bishop of Tortona (or perhaps a bishop of Ravenna), who was martyred in 2nd century by the Roman emperor Hadrian.
The suffix "Oliveto" was added in 1862 because olives were said to have prospered there in ancient times. This hypothesis is supported by the existence of an ancient olive press in nearby Santo Stefano Belbo
, and by the fact that olives continue to thrive there, although not in any great quantity, to the present day.
The first human settlers to the area came from Liguria
, but the first extant buildings and documentary evidence of settlement date from Roman times.
Tradition has it that the four towers, now collapsed, of the present castle were built by the Romans.
, Calamandrana
, Rocchetta Tanaro
and Calosso
, is linked to the history of Canelli
.
All were involved in the struggle between Asti
, Alessandria
and the Marquisate of Montferrat.
From the mid-14th century San Marzano Oliveto was the feudal possession of the Asinari, who also owned Costigliole d'Asti
, Moasca
and other villages.
In 1280 Bonifacio Asinari, a rich merchant from Asti, left his wealth to his children, Bonifacio and Tommaso, who subsequently became the owners of San Marzano.
A legacy of the Asinari family can be found in the name of one of San Marzano Oliveto's valleys - the valle Asinari.
; his son Filippo Maria Antonio became a State Councilor, sent by Napoleon Bonaparte as ambassador to Berlin
. In 1808 he became a Count of the Empire, and then in 1813 a senator and regent of Piedmont
.
During the Second World War, partisan resistance began earlier in San Marzano Oliveto than in other comuni in the region.
On 24 and 25 December 1943, arriving first from Nizza Monferrato
and later from Asti
, soldiers of the Republic of Salò combed the area, searching every house for partisans. No partisans were found, but four hostages were taken and sent to Asti.
.
The castle, probably of Roman origin, has a square tower that was added by the Asinari family. The tower has four square crenellations, one in each corner: the embrasure
s of one of them can still be seen today.
After the Spanish occupation of 1655, the castle returned to Asinari control. It was subsequently transformed into a country residence.
The town hall dates from 1889. It is a multi-purpose building that houses local government offices, a primary school, and the post office.
The paintings within date mainly from the nineteenth century, and are attributed to the school of Lorenzo Ivaldi, who was active in Piedmont at that time.
Funded by an EU grant in 2003, the building was restored and reconstructed under the guidance on the architect Maurizio Testa. It is now the home of the All-Purpose Cultural Center (Centro Culturale Polivalente), inaugurated on October 22 2005, that also houses the town library.
The arable land constitutes 75% of the total area; about 300 people are engaged in agricultural work. 220 hectares are dedicated to fruit production - particularly apples and grapes, for which the mild climate, the topology and the soil composition are especially favourable.
After a period of crisis due to competition from the north eastern regions of Italy, apple production has recovered well. The annual production of apples is about 40 thousand quintals, 80% of which are of the Golden Delicious
variety.
A few years ago, a group of San Marzano producers formed a consortium to promote apples with the "Divina" brand.
San Marzano is also in the following wine-producing zones:
The quality of the Barbera
produced in the region is particularly noteworthy.
in the Piedmont region. Tourists are attracted to the many wineries and vineyards in the region, many of which offer tasting facilities for visitors, and to the many restaurants that offer rare local vintages in addition to the highly renowned Piedmontese cuisine.
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
(municipality) in the Province of Asti
Province of Asti
The Province of Asti is a province in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Its capital is the city of Asti. To the north west it borders on the province of Turin; to the south west it borders on the province of Cuneo. To the east it borders on the province of Alessandria, while in the south it...
in the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
region Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
, located about 60 km southeast of Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
and about 20 km southeast of Asti
Asti
Asti is a city and comune of about 75,000 inhabitants located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, about 55 kilometres east of Turin in the plain of the Tanaro River...
.
Geography
San Marzano Oliveto is located in a panoramic position 300 meters above sea level. It is easily visible from the SS6 road that runs from CanelliCanelli
Canelli is a comune of 10,440 inhabitants in the Province of Asti in the Italian region of Piedmont....
to Asti
Asti
Asti is a city and comune of about 75,000 inhabitants located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, about 55 kilometres east of Turin in the plain of the Tanaro River...
.
The landscape of San Marzano Oliveto is reminiscent of the hilltop villages of Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
and Umbria
Umbria
Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
with its almost mystical calm, an irresistible attraction for foreigners, many of whom live here for at least part of the year.
Among these is the German painter Viktor Müllerstaedt, whose works, exhibited in various local exhibitions, are landscapes heavily influenced by fifteenth century Italian art.
Demographic evolution
Origins
San Marzano was named after St. Marcian of TortonaMarcian of Tortona
Saint Marcian of Tortona is traditionally said to have been the first bishop of Tortona, a post he held for forty-five years.-Legend:...
, the first Bishop of Tortona (or perhaps a bishop of Ravenna), who was martyred in 2nd century by the Roman emperor Hadrian.
The suffix "Oliveto" was added in 1862 because olives were said to have prospered there in ancient times. This hypothesis is supported by the existence of an ancient olive press in nearby Santo Stefano Belbo
Santo Stefano Belbo
Santo Stefano Belbo is a comune in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 60 km southeast of Turin and about 60 km northeast of Cuneo....
, and by the fact that olives continue to thrive there, although not in any great quantity, to the present day.
The first human settlers to the area came from Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
, but the first extant buildings and documentary evidence of settlement date from Roman times.
Tradition has it that the four towers, now collapsed, of the present castle were built by the Romans.
The Middle Ages
The history of San Marzano, like that of MoascaMoasca
Moasca is a comune in the Province of Asti in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 60 km southeast of Turin and about 15 km southeast of Asti...
, Calamandrana
Calamandrana
Calamandrana is a comune in the Province of Asti in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 60 km southeast of Turin and about 20 km southeast of Asti...
, Rocchetta Tanaro
Rocchetta Tanaro
Rocchetta Tanaro is a comune in the Province of Asti in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 60 km southeast of Turin and about 12 km southeast of Asti...
and Calosso
Calosso
Calosso is a rural comune in the Province of Asti in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 60 km southeast of Turin and about 20 km south of Asti in the hilly area between the Tanaro and Belbo and on the borders between Monferrato and Langa...
, is linked to the history of Canelli
Canelli
Canelli is a comune of 10,440 inhabitants in the Province of Asti in the Italian region of Piedmont....
.
All were involved in the struggle between Asti
Asti
Asti is a city and comune of about 75,000 inhabitants located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, about 55 kilometres east of Turin in the plain of the Tanaro River...
, Alessandria
Alessandria
-Monuments:* The Citadel * The church of Santa Maria di Castello * The church of Santa Maria del Carmine * Palazzo Ghilini * Università del Piemonte Orientale-Museums:* The Marengo Battle Museum...
and the Marquisate of Montferrat.
From the mid-14th century San Marzano Oliveto was the feudal possession of the Asinari, who also owned Costigliole d'Asti
Costigliole d'Asti
Costigliole d’Asti is a small Italian town in the Province of Asti, southern Piedmont. It lies about 13 km south of the city of Asti in the Alto Monferrato, on the edge of the Langhe, in the alluvial plain of the river Tanaro southwards into the hills....
, Moasca
Moasca
Moasca is a comune in the Province of Asti in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 60 km southeast of Turin and about 15 km southeast of Asti...
and other villages.
In 1280 Bonifacio Asinari, a rich merchant from Asti, left his wealth to his children, Bonifacio and Tommaso, who subsequently became the owners of San Marzano.
A legacy of the Asinari family can be found in the name of one of San Marzano Oliveto's valleys - the valle Asinari.
Modern era
In 1771, Philip Valentino Asinari became the first Marquis of San Marzano and CaraglioCaraglio
Caraglio is a comune in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 80 km southwest of Turin and about 10 km northwest of Cuneo...
; his son Filippo Maria Antonio became a State Councilor, sent by Napoleon Bonaparte as ambassador to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. In 1808 he became a Count of the Empire, and then in 1813 a senator and regent of Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
.
During the Second World War, partisan resistance began earlier in San Marzano Oliveto than in other comuni in the region.
On 24 and 25 December 1943, arriving first from Nizza Monferrato
Nizza Monferrato
Nizza Monferrato is a comune in the Province of Asti in the Italian region of Piedmont, located about 60 km southeast of Turin and about 20 km southeast of Asti....
and later from Asti
Asti
Asti is a city and comune of about 75,000 inhabitants located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, about 55 kilometres east of Turin in the plain of the Tanaro River...
, soldiers of the Republic of Salò combed the area, searching every house for partisans. No partisans were found, but four hostages were taken and sent to Asti.
Heraldry
The old emblem of the municipality is formed by a crenellated tower, topped by a crown (gold on blue) with the motto "Virtus addidit". It incorporates the coat of arms of the Asinari family, lords of San Marzano between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries.Main sights
Cited by Alfieri as "San Marzano of Acquosana", the first documents that mention the castle date from the birth of the Contado of Acquosana - the ancient territory of Acqui TermeAcqui Terme
Acqui Terme is a city and comune of Piedmont, northern Italy, in the province of Alessandria. It is c. 35 km SSW of Alessandria...
.
The castle, probably of Roman origin, has a square tower that was added by the Asinari family. The tower has four square crenellations, one in each corner: the embrasure
Embrasure
In military architecture, an embrasure is the opening in a crenellation or battlement between the two raised solid portions or merlons, sometimes called a crenel or crenelle...
s of one of them can still be seen today.
After the Spanish occupation of 1655, the castle returned to Asinari control. It was subsequently transformed into a country residence.
The town hall dates from 1889. It is a multi-purpose building that houses local government offices, a primary school, and the post office.
Parish Church of San Marziano
The most notable place of worship is the church of San Marziano, built in classic Renaissance style with a neoclassical nave, presbytery and choir. Located in front of the castle, it was founded in the thirteenth century, enlarged from 1758 to 1763, and restored in 1843.The paintings within date mainly from the nineteenth century, and are attributed to the school of Lorenzo Ivaldi, who was active in Piedmont at that time.
Battuti Church
Built under the stables of the castle, the former church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, now deconsecrated, was built at the beginning of the eighteenth century. After the middle of the eighteenth century it was expanded, and a sacristy was added.Funded by an EU grant in 2003, the building was restored and reconstructed under the guidance on the architect Maurizio Testa. It is now the home of the All-Purpose Cultural Center (Centro Culturale Polivalente), inaugurated on October 22 2005, that also houses the town library.
Other places of worship
San Marzano has five other churches of historical significance:- Sant’Antonio
- San Rocco, in the Chierina region
- Santissima Annunziata, in the Corte region
- Santa Libera, in the Marziano region, which takes its name from an earlier seventeenth century construction on Monte Oliveto that no longer exists.
- The Evangelical Methodist Church, one of the first Methodist churches in Piedmont, consecrated on September 20 1897.
Economy
The economy of San Marzano Oliveto is based on agriculture.The arable land constitutes 75% of the total area; about 300 people are engaged in agricultural work. 220 hectares are dedicated to fruit production - particularly apples and grapes, for which the mild climate, the topology and the soil composition are especially favourable.
After a period of crisis due to competition from the north eastern regions of Italy, apple production has recovered well. The annual production of apples is about 40 thousand quintals, 80% of which are of the Golden Delicious
Golden Delicious
The Golden Delicious is a cultivar of apple with a yellow color. It is not closely related to the Red Delicious apple.- Appearance and flavor :...
variety.
A few years ago, a group of San Marzano producers formed a consortium to promote apples with the "Divina" brand.
San Marzano is also in the following wine-producing zones:
- MoscatoMuscat (grape and wine)The Muscat variety of grapes of the species Vitis vinifera is widely grown for wine, raisins and table grapes. Their color ranges from white to near black. Muscat almost always has a pronounced sweet floral aroma. Muscat grapes are grown around the world...
d'Asti DOC - BarberaBarberaBarbera is a red Italian wine grape variety that, as of 2000, was the third most-planted red grape variety in Italy . It produces good yields and is known for deep color, low tannins and high levels of acid...
d'Asti DOC - BarberaBarberaBarbera is a red Italian wine grape variety that, as of 2000, was the third most-planted red grape variety in Italy . It produces good yields and is known for deep color, low tannins and high levels of acid...
del Monferrato DOC - CorteseCorteseCortese is a white Italian wine grape variety predominantly grown in the southeastern regions of Piedmont in the provinces of Alessandria and Asti. It is the primary grape of the Denominazione di origine controllata wines of Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato and Colli Tortonesi as well as the...
dell'Alto Monferrato DOC - FreisaFreisaFreisa is a red Italian wine grape variety grown in the Piedmont region of north-west Italy, primarily in Monferrato and in the Langhe, but also further north in the provinces of Turin and Biella. Freisa is a vigorous and productive vine whose round, blue-black grapes are harvested in early...
d'Asti DOC
The quality of the Barbera
Barbera
Barbera is a red Italian wine grape variety that, as of 2000, was the third most-planted red grape variety in Italy . It produces good yields and is known for deep color, low tannins and high levels of acid...
produced in the region is particularly noteworthy.
Tourism
San Marzano Oliveto pays a significant role in the promotion of wine tourismWine tourism
Wine tourism refers to tourism whose purpose is or includes the tasting, consumption or purchase of wine, often at or near the source. Wine tourism can consist of visits to wineries, vineyards and restaurants known to offer unique vintages, as well as organized wine tours, wine festivals or other...
in the Piedmont region. Tourists are attracted to the many wineries and vineyards in the region, many of which offer tasting facilities for visitors, and to the many restaurants that offer rare local vintages in addition to the highly renowned Piedmontese cuisine.