Belforte Monferrato: sights, history and trails

It still preserves the medieval topography, drawing origin from a primitive Christian nucleus aggregated in the adjoining of a distant monastery, founded by monks of Bobbio. The monastery was located in a locality called of the Faldellino, between the Turchino state road and the left bank of the Stura stream. The lay community had to settle instead on the right bank of the stream, in the plain below, in the current area of San Colombano, where a chapel was built which, despite numerous renovations, can still be recognized as dating back to the early Middle Ages. A first inhabited center arose with the name of Bellum Fortium in the 10th century with the movement of the population from the valley floor, to occupy the area of the Castle. Subsequently, for security reasons the population abandoned the valley floor and the Church of San Colombano served only as a cemetery. Some of the inhabitants settled on the hill, near defensive buildings, where the oratory is present.

After the assault and destruction of Giusvalla Abbey by the Saracens and the continuous raids on the territory, after a few years such episodes convinced Anselmo, son of Marquis Aleramo, to erect the new abbey of San Quintino^[5] of the Spigno Monferrato, as a form of contrast to raids and defense of pilgrims and trade routes.

In 934, the Burgundian kings of Italy Ugo di Provenza and Lotario II granted these funds to Aleramo del Monferrato. The concession was confirmed in 967 by Otto I. At that time in official documents the name often appears Bellum Fortium (Belforte), a name that recalls the defensive fortification of this Apennine valley.

After several events, in which the Republic of Genoa was also involved in transits towards the Po Valley, Belforte Monferrato passed under the dominion of Malaspina of the Cremolino. In 1328, the area and the castle passed under the Spinola family of Genoa. In 1539, Giambattista Spinola died, and the territory passed to the Grimaldi family until 1652, when Patrizio Cattaneo della Volta took over as marquis. The Cattaneo della Volta will be the last lords of Belforte. the territory passed under the Savoys until the unification of Italy.

In 1863 the municipality of Belforte assumed the new name "Belforte Monferrato".^[6]

From 1927 to 1947 Belforte was shortened to the commune of Tagliolo Monferrato.

The economy is mainly based on agriculture, particularly viticulture, with fine grapes, a grape bunch stands out in the coat of arms of the country and on small industries and artisan laboratories. The monks, as well as wise guardians of culture, have been able to collect the dispersed people, teaching a rational use of the territory, directing the people on local resources by addressing them in crops suitable for the environment. It is due to the initiative of the monks of San Colombano if in Belforte the vineyards have developed, conquering priorities and merits in the wine tradition.

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

• 
  Church of the Nativity of Mary
• 
  Statue of the Church of the Nativity of Mary
• 
  City hall

• AA.VV., The Piemonte country by country, Florence, Ed. Bonechi, 1993.