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Calliano: sights, history and trails

Asti

Calliano.JPG
Image: Andrea Marchisio · CC BY-SA 3.0
Elevation
258 m above sea level
Area
17.29 km²
Demonym
callianese
Patron saint
SS.mo Name of Maria

A closer look

Discovering Calliano

Calliano Monferrato (Calian in Piedmont) is an Italian municipality of 1 239 inhabitants[1] from the province of Asti in the Piemonte. It is part of the hilly community Monferrato Valleversa and the Association of Municipalities Monferrato. It is located about 15 km north of the provincial capital, 258 meters above sea level. on a hill that separates the Versa Valley from the Grana Valley.

From July 2022 the Municipality of Calliano officially became Calliano Monferrato.

Thus it was decided unanimously by the Regional Council, according to what deliberated by the Municipal Council of the same Municipality, always unanimously, on 26 November 2021 and in the favourable opinion of the Provincial Council of Asti, to distinguish it from the homonymous municipality of Asti Calliano in the province of Trento.

History of Calliano

SymbolsExplore this chapter

Symbols

The coat of arms and gonfalone of the municipality of Calliano were granted by decree of the President of the Republic no. 3252 of 6 April 1987.[3]

"Inquarified: in the first and fourth, intersected in gold band, black, red, the three bands crossed by the silver stripe, formed by two decussed rods, equipped with four rectangular blades, two and two, those on the right side, of silver, edged with gold, the ones on the left; of gold; all to the plain of gold and blue. Exterior ornaments from the Municipality.»

(Presidential Decree of 6 April 1987)

The gonfalone is a drape party of white and blue.

What to see in Calliano

On its territory there are remarkable architectural heritage:Explore this chapter

On its territory there are remarkable architectural heritage:

  • Romanesque church of St. Peter of the 11th century
  • Parish Church of the Most Holy Name of Mary of the eighteenth century with some valuable paintings
  • Church of San Michele from the 10th century
  • La Pirenta, sulphur source, renowned for its healing and purifying virtues

There are also various hiking, mountain biking and horse riding routes.

Society

Demographic evolution · Foreign ethnic groups and minorities · Traditions and folkloreExplore this chapter

Demographic evolution

Inhabitants registered[4]

Foreign ethnic groups and minorities

According to ISTAT data at 31 December 2009, the resident foreign population was 89 people. The nationalities most represented by their percentage of the total population living were:

  • Albania 32 (2,29%)
  • Romania 26 (1.86%)
  • Morocco 15 (1,07%)

Traditions and folklore

Calliano stands out, like other common Piedmontese, for its Palio of donkeys, known as "Paglio bragliante", which is usually held in October each year.

In the municipal district, commonly called Piazza del Palio, the race is disputed between the donkeys and the grooms, representing the ten districts of Calliano. The race is preceded by the historical procession with the acrobatics of the flag-wavers and traditional dances and songs.

The winners of the Paglio
Year Rione Asino Notes
1969 Not assigned
1970 Courtin Lightning
1971 Saint Michael Lightning
1972 San Rocco Nice.
1973 San Rocco Nice.
1974 San Desiderio
1975 Courtin Gilda
1976 Courtin Gilda
1977 Saint Michael Mora
1978 Saint Michael Mora
1979 Saint Michael Mora
1980 Courtin Gilda
1981 Courtin Gilda
1982 Courtin Gilda
1983 Barriera di Casale Lightning
1984 Saint Michael Lightning
1985 Not played
1986 Sports Palio
1987 Barriera di Casale Lightning
1988 Barriera di Casale Gigliola
1989 Square Lightning
1990 Barriera di Casale Gigliola
1991 Neighbors Gigliola
1992 Neighbors Gigliola
1993 Perrona Rosamunda
1994 Neighbors Gigliola
1995 San Rocco Ughetta.
1996 Saint Michael Star
1997 Stone Pirenta Ughetta.
1998 Neighbors Rosamunda
1999 Square Fury
2000 San Rocco Ughetta.
2001 Courtin Rosetta
2002 Perrona Star
2003 Square Elsa
2004 Barriera di Casale Star
2005 Barriera di Casale Star
2006 Courtin Sophophy
2007 Square Star
2008 Christ. Rosetta
2009 Barriera di Casale Elsa
2010 Barriera di Casale Elsa
2011 Barriera di Casale Elsa
2012 San Desiderio Rosetta
2013 Square Elsa
2014 San Rocco Elsa
2015 Perrona Elsa
2016 Courtin Romeo
2017 Courtin Romeo
2018 Square Giulietta
2019 Not played bad weather cause
2020 Not disputed cause pandemic COVID-19
2021 Not disputed cause pandemic COVID-19
2022 Saint Michael Elsa
2023 San Rocco Giulietta
2024 Not played bad weather cause
2025 Square Stellina

Institutions, bodies and associations

  • A.N.P.A.: National Association of Animal Protection Environment - Territorial Section and Provincial Command Guards for the Ecozoophilic Police Service.

Culture

Media · GastronomyExplore this chapter

Media

Calliano had a local television in the 1980s, Tele Comunità Calliano, owned by the local Parish and of course religious. The issuer carried out a lot of self-production but progressively entered economic crisis. The epilogue of the important cultural experience was the sale of transmission plants (which allowed a discreet coverage of the hilly territory) to a consolidated regional reality from the same editorial line of reference: the Turinese Telesubalpina.

In fact, the closure of CTC (Tele Comunità Calliano) was caused by the entry into force of Law 223, of 6 August 1990, better known as Mammì law, which, imposing on every private broadcaster to become, in fact, a commercial TV, put out law all those realities that had only a local and non-commercial purpose. Not at all, the last broadcast aired on 31 July 1990. On that occasion, the director responsible for the issuer, rev. Luigi Venesia, unequivocally clasped the reasons for closing. The CTC budgets, which were periodically made known by parish information bodies, would probably ensure the existence of the issuer in the form in which it was conceived, if the legislation on this matter had not changed.

Gastronomy

Agnolotti, typical dish of Calliano

In addition to the Palio degli asini, Calliano is also known for donkeys, a particularly renowned and tasty variant of Piedmontese agnolotti. In fact, the filling is characterized precisely to be constituted by pure ass meat. Every year, Calliano's pro spot participates in Festival of the Astigian festivals presenting in addition to the agnolotti, other dishes and local wines. Also in the country during the year there are two festivals: at the end of June the Assian Agnolotto Festival, while at the end of August the stew. For info you can visit the site of the local Pro Loco.

The hills around the village are rich in vineyards (barbera and grignolino) that draw on the geometries slopes that make this territory particularly fascinating.

Administration

TwinningExplore this chapter
Calliano, Church of San Pietro

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

Period First citizen Match Load Notes
June 20, 1985 May 19, 1990 Luigi Cerruti - Mayor [5]
May 19, 1990 6 March 1992 Luigi Cerruti - Mayor [5]
March 23, 1992 February 17, 1994 Piergiuseppe Cuniberti Christian Democracy Mayor [5]
March 18, 1994 April 24, 1995 Alfredo Poli Democratic Left Party Mayor [5]
April 24, 1995 June 14, 1999 Albertolomeo Bonvicino centre-left Mayor [5]
June 14, 1999 June 14, 2004 Paolo Maria Belluardo civic list Mayor [5]
June 14, 2004 June 8, 2009 Paolo Maria Belluardo civic list Mayor [5]
June 8, 2009 May 26, 2014 Alfredo Poli Civic list Calliano in 2000 Mayor [5]
May 26, 2014 May 26, 2019 Paolo Maria Belluardo Civic list Calliano in 2000 Mayor [5]
May 26, 2019 in office Paolo Maria Belluardo Civic list Calliano in 2000 Mayor [5]

Twinning

Sport

JudoExplore this chapter

Judo

Judo Olimpic Asti A.S.D. has carried out courses at this Municipality.

From this course a star named Annalisa Cavagna became Italian Champion in the category Esordienti B.

Notes

Explore this chapter
  1. ^ to b Monthly demographic balance for the year 2026 (provisional data), up demo.istat.it, ISTAT.
  2. ^ Seismic classification (XLS), up risks.protezionecivile.gov.it.
  3. ^ Calliano, decree 1987-04-06 DPR, concession of coat of arms and gonfalone, up Heraldic office - Municipal files, Central State Archives. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  4. ^ Data taken from:
  5. ^ to b c d And f g h the j http://amministratori.interno.it/

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