Centallo
Centallo is a comune in the Province of Cuneo, in the Italian region Piedmont. It is located approximately 60 kilometres south of Turin and about 13 kilometres north of Cuneo.
The municipality includes the frazioni of San Biagio and Roata Chiusani.
Centallo borders the municipalities of Castelletto Stura, Cuneo, Fossano, Montanera, Tarantasca, and Villafalletto.
Geography
The territory of Centallo covers an area of and borders the municipalities of Cuneo, Villafalletto, Fossano, Montanera, Castelletto Stura, and Tarantasca. It is situated at an elevation of 424 metres above sea level, and the terrain is predominantly flat. The Grana River flows to the west of the town, while the Stura di Demonte River runs along its eastern border.History
Centallo occupies a strategic location with ancient Roman origins. Over the centuries, it was contested by Cuneo, Saluzzo, and the House of Savoy. During the Lombard period, the territory was under the influence of the Abbey of San Dalmazzo di Pedona. It is first mentioned in a donation document from the mid-11th century.The town was considered a desirable possession, reportedly attracting interest from the second son of the King of England. The Bolleri family, connected to the King of France, later established themselves in Centallo, remaining until the extinction of their lineage.
In the 16th century, as conflicts between the French and the Spanish intensified in northern Italy, Centallo gained strategic importance. The town was involved in a siege during which Torquato Tasso, author of Jerusalem Delivered, recounted the "liberation" of Centallo by Spanish forces who came to the aid of Cuneo and Fossano in opposition to the French. The surviving portion of the local castle was destroyed in 1589. From this period onward, Centallo developed into a significant agricultural centre.
Symbols
The coat of arms of Centallo was officially recognised by decree of the Head of Government on 19 June 1931. The flag is described as "red, with a blue belt charged with three heraldic golden roses, studded with the same and placed in a band". The belt is a canting reference to the toponym and derives from the arms of the family that once ruled the town, known as Da Centallo. The emblem, granted by D.C.G. on 4 August 1933, is imprinted on purple cloth.Honors
On 29 December 1944, the municipality was awarded the Bronze Medal for Civil Merit for its actions during the Second World War. Following the destruction of a local orphanage by an aerial bombing, the population assisted the victims with remarkable solidarity. Volunteers dug through rubble with their bare hands to rescue survivors, transporting them on foot to the local hospital despite air raid alarms and a curfew.Attractions
Religious architectures
Centallo contains several notable religious buildings:- Parish Church of San Giovanni Battista
- Church of San Michele
- Church of San Rocco
- Church of Saints Sebastiano and Battista Decollato
- Church of the Holy Trinity
- Church of Santa Maria ad Nives
- Chapel of San Quirico
- Chapel of San Giovanni Evangelista, which contains early 16th-century paintings depicting the life of the saint in 12 panels
- Chapel of Madonna dei Prati
- Chapel of San Giuliano
- Temple of Madonna di Loreto dei Boschetti
- Parish Church of San Biagio
- Chapel of San Rocco dei Gerbidi, located in San Biagio
- Chapel of Sant'Anna, located in San Biagio
- Parish Church of San Bernardo, located in Roata Chiusani
- Oratory or Temple of San Giovanni Battista
- Remains of the Church of S. Colomba, in the locality of S. Colomba
Museums
- Museum and birthplace of Cardinal Michele Pellegrino, located in the hamlet of Roata Chiusani
Demography
Ethnicities and foreign minorities
According to data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics, as of 31 December 2017, there were 798 foreign residents in Centallo. The largest groups by nationality were:- Albania: 187
- Romania: 122
- Morocco: 111
- India: 58
- Senegal: 56
- Ivory Coast: 45
- Philippines: 45
- Nigeria: 43
- Burkina Faso: 23
Culture
Schools
Centallo has the following educational institutions:Public schools
- Kindergarten
- Primary school in the main town
- Primary school in the hamlet of Roata Chiusani
- Lower secondary school "M. Isoardo"
Private schools
- Kindergarten "Giovanni Arese" in the hamlet of San Biagio
- Kindergarten "Margaria Macesi" in the hamlet of Roata Chiusani
Libraries
- Civic Library "Faustino Dalmazzo"
Events
- Patronal Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, held on the second Sunday of October
- Biennial Festival of Beans and Peppers, held in September
- Feast of Saint Isidore, held on the second Sunday of May
Economy
A typical agricultural product of the area is the Cuneo bean.
In 2021, the municipality received the "Green Ears" award from FEE Italy.