Atlas of Monferrato

Agliano Terme: sights, history and trails

Asti

Elevation: 263 m above sea level
Area: 15.45 km²
Demonym: Aglianese
Patron saint: Saint James the Greater

A closer look

Discovering Agliano Terme

Agliano Terme (Ajan in Piedmont) is an Italian municipality 1 541 inhabitants^[2] from the province of Asti in the historical territory ofAstesana, in Piemonte.

Landscape and area

About 19 km from Asti, lies Agliano, located on a hill between the Nizza and Tiglione valleys in a panoramic position.Explore this chapter

About 19 km from Asti, lies Agliano, located on a hill between the valleys Nice and of Tiglione in a panoramic position.

Origins of the name

Its toponym, of Roman origin, derives from the noble Allius, and appears for the first time in medieval texts since 993 as Alljanus, then as Aglanus.Explore this chapter

Its toponym, of Roman origin, derives from the noble one Allius, and first appears in medieval texts as early as 993 as Alljanus, then how Aglanus.

History of Agliano Terme

The Middle Ages · The Renaissance · Contemporary ageExplore this chapter

The Latin origin is demonstrated by some archaeological finds found on the site, for example the plaque engraved in honor of Antonio Scapula, probably the same one sent to Britain in the mid-1st century AD. in order to quell an insurrection. The inscription was found in the foundations of the ancient Church of SS. Michele and Bovo. But the historians of Agliano judge the Middle Ages as the era of greatest interest.

The Middle Ages

The Lords of Agliano of the first lineage descend from an Alineo of Salic Nation and Law, Viscount in Neustria, who came to Italy around the year 900 and became Viscount of Auriate. The last of the first lineage of the Lords of Agliano, she married Ottone, Lord of Lanerio, son of Manfredo di Brozolo of the Manfredingi lineage^[5]. In Agliano from this marriage the following noble families were born: d'Agliano, Gatto, Musso, Sclasso, Presbitero^[5]. The aforementioned families also known as the Lords of Agliano and belonging to the first lineage, together with other Lords of Lanerio and Canelli founded the consortium of Acquosana^[5]. The first house of the Lords of Agliano ended with the dominion of the Lancia Aleramici, who gave rise to the second house of the Lords of Agliano. The notoriety of Agliano began with the third lineage of the lords of Agliano: Boniface of Agliano, son of Belda and Guglielmo of Moncucco, married the widow of Manfredo I Lancia, who moved to Agliano and brought with her her daughter Bianca from her first husband. Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, struck by Bianca's shining beauty, fell madly in love with her and, although he was already married, had three children with her: Costanza (1230 -1307) who married Giovanni III Ducas Vatatze, emperor of the East, Manfred of Sicily (1232 - 1266) who later succeeded his father in the government of the kingdom of Sicily and Violante (1233-1264) who married Riccardo Sanseverino, count of Caserta.

The Renaissance

In 1531 Agliano passed to the Savoy family. In 1629 the population of the town was decimated by the plague, while the Spanish were responsible for the definitive destruction of the castle, already besieged by the Solaro family of Asti in the early years of the 14th century, and later rebuilt thanks to the noble Guttuari family from Asti, a long-time feudal lord.

Contemporary age

In the early years of the Second World War, between 1941 and 1943, Agliano was one of the municipalities designated as a place of free internment for foreign Jews.^[6] There were 49 Jewish refugees from the Balkans (including some children) who stayed there for more or less long periods.^[7] Net of the frequent transfers, those present in the village in the summer of 1943 were 22. After 8 September 1943, with the German occupation, the group immediately dispersed. In the end all the former internees managed to save themselves (some finding refuge in Switzerland, others heading south to meet the Allied army). No Jew, Italian or foreign, was arrested in Agliano.

Symbols

«Coat of arms: banded waved in blue and silver. The coat of arms has the attributes typical of the Municipality: the wreath of laurel and oak fronds and the turreted civic crown.^[8]»

The banner is a blue and white banner.

Honors

In 1998 the ANPI awarded Agliano Terme the Gold Medal for partisan merit for its role during the Resistance.

What to see in Agliano Terme

Hot springsExplore this chapter

The church of San Pietro was built on the ruins of the castle, subsequently demolished in 1770. In the town square, from which you can enjoy a suggestive panorama of theAstesana, there are two churches: first you come across the parish church of Saint James the Greater, built to replace the three previous ones dedicated to San Michele, San Pietro and San Gaudenzio. It was subsequently rebuilt in 1657 by the entire community after the destruction of the previous building by the Spanish. Inside you can see numerous polychrome marble altars, built in the mid-eighteenth century, and the valuable fifteenth-century wooden crucifix. Not far away we can find the Confraternity of San Michele dating back to the Baroque era, currently deconsecrated.

In Piazza Castello it is possible to admire the Tower of the Ancient Castellan who resided there. That tower can currently be visited and is owned by the aqueduct

In the hamlet of Molizzo, located to the north near the municipality of Montegrosso, stands on a hill, surrounded by centuries-old cypresses, the sanctuary of the Annunciation, originally home to hermit monks. The origin of the toponym of the hamlet, according to some historians, could be connected to some member of the Giordano family of Agliano who had roles and honors in the principality of Molise, in the Kingdom of Naples.

Near the hamlet of Monsarinero it is possible to admire the church of S. Sebastiano and Bovo. The church stands on an ancient cemetery of Roman origin (identifiable by the discovery of a tombstone). The hamlet probably takes its name from the demolished church of San Michele e Bovo where the current church was built.

Hot springs

Agliano today is renowned for its thermal springs, the Fons Salutis and the Fonte San Rocco from which water flows Sale-magnesic at the temperature of 13.8 °C. If drunk, its waters are currently effective in cases of inflammatory diseases of the digestive system, liver and biliary tract, if inhaled they are healthy for problems of the upper respiratory tract.

Society

Demographic evolution · Foreign ethnic groups and minorities · Institutions, bodies and associationsExplore this chapter

Demographic evolution

Inhabitants registered^[9]

Foreign ethnic groups and minorities

According to ISTAT data as of 31 December 2009, the resident foreign population was 131 people. The most represented nationalities based on their percentage of the total resident population were:

Romania 54 3.22%
Republic of Macedonia 23 1.37%

Institutions, bodies and associations

"Maria Gianussi" musical band

With the Banda di Asti it is the longest-running in the province having been founded in 1847.

He had an intense activity until the years '60 then followed by swinging moments of operational stasis.

It has a stable staff of over 30 musicians, reaching up to 45 members in concerts.

Culture

Events · CinemaExplore this chapter

Events

The following parties are organized in Agliano:

patronal feast
Barbera d'Asti Days
Barbera Fish Festival
Barbera and Champagne
The Color Hills

Cinema

Some scenes of the film were shot in Agliano Terme The devil in the hills by Vittorio Cottafavi.^[10]

Anthropic geography

HamletsExplore this chapter

Hamlets

Banchetti, Bansella, Bologna, Brusasacco, Crena, Dani, Dogliani, San Rocco, Goretta, Lovetta, Monsarinero, Mola - Francia, Molizzo, Montà, Ogniprato, Paludo, Salere, San Bernardino, San Rocco, San Zeno, Vialta, Vianoce, Monsarinero, Spessa.

Economy

In addition to the spa activity, Agliano does not forget agriculture: cereals are cultivated, including wheat, vines, from which excellent Barbera d'Asti and…Explore this chapter

In addition to the spa activity, Agliano does not forget agriculture: cereals are cultivated, including wheat, and vines, from which excellent Barbera d'Asti and Nizza docg are obtained. Since 1996 it has been declared a Thermal Municipality; it was previously known as Agliano d'Asti. It should be remembered that Agliano is one of the few municipalities in Asti, in addition to the capital, which offers secondary education, in fact there is a hotel institute.

Infrastructure and transport

The town is served by the Agliano-Castelnuovo Calcea station, located along the Asti-Genoa railway.Explore this chapter

The town is served by the Agliano-Castelnuovo Calcea station, located along the Asti-Genoa railway.

Administration

Below is a table relating to the administrations that have succeeded one another in this municipality.Explore this chapter

Below is a table relating to the administrations that have succeeded one another in this municipality.

Period		First citizen	Match	Load	Notes
April 24, 1995	June 14, 1999	Warden Aluffi	center	Mayor	^[11]
June 14, 1999	June 14, 2004	Warden Aluffi	civic list	Mayor	^[11]
June 14, 2004	June 8, 2009	Franco Giuseppe Serra	civic list	Mayor	^[11]
June 8, 2009	May 25, 2014	Franco Giuseppe Serra	civic list For the future of Agliano	Mayor	^[11]
May 26, 2014	May 26, 2019	Franco Giuseppe Serra	civic list For the future of Agliano	Mayor	^[11]
May 27, 2019	in office	Marco Biglia	civic list The alternative for Agliano	Mayor	^[11]

Sport

EquitationExplore this chapter

Equitation

The municipality of Agliano Terme achieved 2 victories at the Palio di Asti:

6 May 1810 (Michele Ranco, for the N.S. of Molisso di Agliano), with F. Manè, on a Turkish horse
5 May 1811 (Michele Ranco, for the N.S. of Molisso di Agliano), with B. Nattino