|
GLOSSARY |
|
HISTORY AND CULTURE
|
|
|
Saluzzo |
|
|
|
SALUZZO – A lovely town at the foot of the Po Valley. Elegant
historical center intersected by narrow alleys that meander up towards the
castle amid old houses, dwellings of the nobility, monuments, and gardens
with panoramic views of rare beauty.
|
|
Casa
Cavassa |
|
|
|
CAVASSA HOUSE - An example of a noble Renaissance home which houses
many works of art and is now seat of the Civic Museum. The painting on
wood “Madonna della Misericordia” is on display here.
|
| Chiesa
di S Giovanni
|
|
 |
CHURCH
OF SAINT JOHN –
Although many generations contributed to its
construction, it remains a symbol of Gothic art and of the refined culture
of that period.
|
| La
Cattedrale
|
|
 |
SALUZZO CATHEDRAL
- The only monument
which stood outside the city walls. Begun in 1491 and completed in the
beginning of the 1500s, it was intended to be a symbol of the Marquisate
of Saluzzo.
|
| Balma
Boves
|
|
 |
BALMA
BOVES (Boves Shelter) - Located on Mount Bracco at 652 meters above sea
level, there is an unusual farm, complete with independent farmhouse,
sheltered by a cliff. The word Balma
stands for this sort of refuge nestled under an overhanging rock
|
| Abbazia
di Staffarda
|
|
 |
STAFFARDA ABBEY - One of the most
impressive monuments in Piedmont. Built by Cistercian monks upon land
donated by the first Marquis of Saluzzo.
Currently pertains to the Order of Saint Maurice. A portion of the
material with which it was constructed comes from Monviso Mountain (Ophiolitic
metamorphic stone).
|
| Il
Castello di Manta
|
|
 |
MANTA CASTLE - Late-Gothic
jewel. Its frescoes are among the most beautiful of European Gothic courts.
|
|
Santuario
di
San Chiaffredo
|
|
 |
SANCTUARY
OF SAN CHIAFFREDO -
Accessible on foot from Crissolo (a 20 minute walk). In Gothic style, it
is dedicated to the Saint who is believed to have evangelized the Valley. Beautiful view of Monviso and of the plains of Saluzzo.
|
| La
pietra ofiolite
|
|
 |
OPHIOLITIC STONE -
Extracted from Monviso. Made of solidified lava. A resistant stone
of greenish color. Used in the construction of local works of art (see
Staffarda Abbey).
|
|
|
|
TYPICAL
LOCAL PRODUCTS
|
|
L’albicocca
tonda
di Costigliole
|
|
 |
ROUND
APRICOT OF COSTIGLIOLE -
Thought to be a native, this is a cultivated species. Its origin
probably can be traced back to the round fruits of the western Ligurian
Riviera.
|
|
La
castagna
Cuneo
IGP
|
|
 |
CHESTNUT OF CUNEO, IGP (Protected Geographical Indication)
- For centuries, the
fundamental element of the local agricultural economy. Basis of many
dishes of the local cuisine. Featured by a local consortium dedicated to
its promotion and preservation (Consorzio di
valorizzazione e Tutele della Castagna Cuneo Igp). Every year, during
the month of October, the Chestnut Fair is held in Cuneo.
|
|
La
fragola
Cuneo
IGP
|
|
 |
STRAWBERRY
OF CUNEO (IGP) - Originally
from Eurasia and the Americas. Brought to this area by a French official;
all of the varieties cultivated today derive from this single event.
Protected by a local consortium (Consorzio
per la Valorizzazione e la tutela della Fragola Cuneo Igp).
|
| La
Gallina Bianca di Saluzzo
|
|
|
|
WHITE HEN OF SALUZZO - Bred in the open, free-ranging, their diet is based on corn
and other cultivated
agricultural products. Used
for a typical Piedmontese dish : la Finanziera (giblets in Marsala sauce). Promoted by a consortium also
dedicated to the grey rabbit (Consorzio
Piemontese di Tutela della Gallina Bionda Piemontese e Bianca di Saluzzo e
del Coniglio Grigio di Carmagnola). In Cervignasco there is a village
festival every July, featuring the White Hen of Saluzzo and boiled meats.
|
| La
mela renetta grigia di Torriana
|
|
 |
GREY RENETTA
APPLE OF TORRIANA - Takes
its name from the skin which is rust-colored, and from the town of Barge
where it is cultivated. Perfect for baking. Promoted by its consortium (Consorzio
per la Tutela della Mela Renetta Grigia di Torriana).
|
|
La
mela rossa
di Cuneo IGP
|
|
 |
RED APPLE OF CUNEO, IGP - Its cultivation
in the province of Cuneo boasts a thousand-year-old history. Present in
the Medieval Abbeys and later in the courtyards of nobles. Protected by Consorzio
per la valorizzazione e la tutela della Mela Rossa Cuneo Igp.
|
| La
menta piperita di Pancalieri
|
|
 |
PEPPERMINT
(MENTHA PIPERITA) OF PANCALIERI
- The merchant Giovanni Varino cultivated it and established the first
distillery, which grew to a maximum of 72 stills.
Protected and promoted by a cooperative dedicated to aromatic herbs
(Cooperativa
Erbe Aromatiche Pancalieri) which is also dedicated to obtaining DOP
status (Protected Designation of Origin). The Viverbe
(“Living Herbs”) demonstration is held in September in the town of
Pancalieri.
|
| I
ramassin del Saluzzese
|
|
 |
RAMASSIN
(PLUMS) OF THE SALUZZO AREA -
These are plums which are gathered after having fallen naturally to
the ground, when they are completely ripe. Sold by volume; that is, a
certain price for the quantity of plums which fit in a large wooden spoon.
|
|
La
Toma
Piemontese
Dop
|
|
 |
TOMA PIEMONTESE DOP (soft, fresh, round cheese which can also be aged) -
Among the typical “tomas” of the area, we find Tometta di Barge and Tomino di
Montoso.
|
|
vino
colline saluzzesi
|
|
|
|
WINE OF THE SALUZZESE HILLS - Produced
from grapes of the following species: Pelaverga, Nebbiolo, and Barbera,
from which the wines Colline
Saluzzesi Quagliano (not very common), Pelaverga and Rosso (Red) are
made. Protected by Consorzio di Tutela dei vini Doc Colline Saluzzesi.
|
|
