Cisterna d'Asti: sights, history and trails

The coat of arms and gonfalone were granted with DPR on 2 May 1996.^[11]

The banner is a blue cloth.

Cisterna d'Asti is one of the cities decorated with military valor for the liberation war, awarded the silver medal to the military valor for the sacrifices of its populations and for the activity in the partisan struggle during World War II.^[13]:

Silver Medal to Military Valor

The Cisterna Castle rises on the top of the hill and from a fortified fence, mentioned in a document of 911, has become, in Baroque times, in a noble country residence.

The organization of a double circle of fences, although not yet fortified with brick bastions, dates back to the 11th - 12th century.

The first fence included a large area not accessible and with overhanging walls while the second, almost square in shape, occupied the top of the hill and in its interior was obtained the still existing collection tank, to which the name of the place itself is due.

The tower, rising on the eastern edge of the castle, is the next stage and seems to be dated to the 13th century. Originally it had to perform the function of sighting, signalling and last refuge during enemy raids and have the symbolic purpose of manifesting the power and prestige of the feudal family that inherited it.

There is no evidence regarding the 14th and 15th century, except for the ogival arch (discovered during the restoration work of 1985) on the south-western outer wall. Today it appears with the 18th century plant, when it was strengthened by Giacomo Del Pozzo, of the homonymous family.^[14]
In the 19th century, the castle was owned by the princes Savoy-Aosta, sons of Maria Vittoria from the well of Cisterna, last of the family.
In 1912 the Castle was finally donated to the Commune by an act of donation from the heirs of princes from the well.

The fortified structure dominates the hilly landscape and boasts an imposing walls: it is accessed through an ancient arch on which the coat of arms of Pope Innocent XII, in memory of the high lordship exercised by the Church in the past of the country.^[14]

The medieval castle of Cisterna d'Asti, located in the heart of the hills of Monferrato, has hosted the Arts and Crafts Museum of the Past since 1980, one of the most significant ethnographic collections of the Piemonte. Founded by a group of volunteers in 1990, the museum was created with the aim of preserving and passing on the memory of the rural and artisan material culture of the region. Today, the museum houses over 6,000 objects, dating back to between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries, distributed in 27 rooms that faithfully recreate the workshops and work spaces of ancient crafts, offering visitors an authentic immersion in the daily life of the past. The museum boasts of being the largest ethnographic museum in the Piemonte in the ancient medieval Cisterna Castle.

The castle itself, with its structure recalling the shape of a ship, represents an architectural example of great charm and historical value. Over the centuries, he has undergone numerous transformations, but maintaining his imposing and his role as custodian of collective memory.

The Museum of Arts and Crafts of a Time is not only a static exhibition, but a lively cultural center, managed with passion by volunteers who organize guided tours, events and workshops, actively contributing to the valorization of the local heritage. The visit to this museum is a unique opportunity to rediscover the roots of Piedmontese tradition and to understand the evolution of craft activities and peasants that have marked the history of the region.
The manor is part of the Lower Open Castles system Piemonte.

Among the noble titles that compete in Aimone di Savoia-Aosta is that of Prince of Cisterna as descendant and heir of Maria Vittoria from the Pozzo della Cisterna.

The walls of the castle and the surrounding area have been in the recent past the scene of numerous and fought elastic ball games, as it recalls a plaque on Hope Square.

The parish church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio is dedicated to the two holy twin martyrs, it represents one of the main places of worship of the country, with a history that has its roots in ancient times. The church stands out for its sober but harmonious structure, enriched by architectural elements of the late Baroque and neoclassical era and sacred works preserved inside it. In addition to religious value, it is also an important cultural point of reference for the local community, often involved in liturgical celebrations and traditional events related to the Christian calendar. Its location in the heart of the country makes it easily accessible and well integrated into the urban fabric. The parish is active and an integral part of the community, with initiatives involving the faithful and residents.^[15]

The spiritual heart of the country preserves elements of artistic and devotional value, including the main altar and a fine historical organ. The main altar, made of marble, dominates the presbytery area with an elegant oval tabernacle also in marble, symbol of solemnity and liturgical centrality. In addition to the main altar, the church has four side altars, each of which tells a fragment of tradition and local faith.^[16]

The altar of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, once dedicated to the Suffragio, is made in scagliola and houses a painting with the souls of Purgatory, dominated by a scene of the Holy Family. The altar of Sant'Antonio Abate, owned by the Scapino family, is enriched by a painting depicting St. Anthony with St. Rocco and St. Sebastian. The altar of San Fedele, belonging to the Laferre family, instead houses a painting dedicated to the saint himself. Finally, the altar of the Rosary, in gilded wood, preserves a statue of Our Lady of the Rosary sculpted in the eighteenth century by Francesco Maria Riva, master sculptor from Piedmont.^[17]

To complete the liturgical-musical system of the church there is the reed organ placed on the counterfaceted forum. Built in 1926 by the renowned organgar Giuseppe Gandini of Varese, the instrument represents an important part of the musical and cultural heritage of the parish, often used to accompany solemn celebrations and moments.^[18]

The Church houses a series of frescoes by Luigi Morgari, a painter from Piedmont active between the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Morgari is known for its numerous decorations in religious buildings of Piemonte and other Italian regions.

The Church of St. Joseph in Cisterna d'Asti is a significant example of late baroque and neoclassical religious architecture in the Roero, located in the upper part of the village, along the road leading to the parish church and under the walls of the castle.

Built between 1656 and 1660 as the seat of the Brotherhood of St. Joseph's Disciplinates (called "Batu"), the church has a facade and a bell tower modified over time. The interior houses a valuable Baroque wooden altar of 1664, attributed to the "middle" Pietro Francesco Torneto, and an altarpiece depicting the Holy Family, work of the Astigiano painter Pietro Laveglia, which includes a view of the castle and the village of Cisterna of the time.

In 1903 the new bell tower, sacristy and a wall of support were built, while in 1940 a white marble statue of Carrara depicting St. Joseph with the Child Jesus was placed above the portal. Today, the church is used for the recitation of the Rosary during the Marian month and for some annual celebrations, keeping alive the bond with the local community.^[19]

Cisterna d'Asti main square, entitled to the memory of Giacomo Rossino, a young partisan born on 4 December 1924 in San Damiano d'Asti, the square represents the heart of the social life of the town. Rossino also called "Rino", farmer by profession and active member of the Catholic Action, joined the Italian Resistance during the Second World War, fighting in the 21st "San Damiano" Brigade of the 6th Autonomous Alpine Division "Asti". Captured by fascist forces during the battle of Cisterna and Santo Stefano Roero in March 1945, he was tortured and shot on 6 March 1945 in the main square of the town, which today bears his name as a sign of recognition and memory. Surrounded by historic buildings and overlooking panoramic views of the Asti hills, the square is often the site of cultural events, markets and traditional events, acting as a meeting point for residents and visitors and helping to keep the community fabric of the village alive.^[20]

Since 1980 the local Museum of Arts and Crafts of a time.

Enogastronomic and cultural event that takes place in the medieval village Cisterna d'Asti, in Piemonte. Organized by the local Pro Loco, the event is generally held at the end of spring or early summer, developing around the castle of the country. "Usanze" offers a traveling route that combines tastings of typical dishes and local wines, live shows, markets and cultural moments, enhancing the traditions of the roerino territory. The initiative stands out for the active participation of the towns and villages and for the evocative atmosphere that blends history, nature and conviviality. Another attraction is the “Ristorantino” with panoramic views, which offers an exclusive dinner in the castle garden.^[21]

Cultural and re-enactment event held annually at Cisterna d'Asti, in Piemonte, inside the medieval castle of the village. The event draws inspiration from the ancient privilege granted in 1673 at the Principality of Cisterna and Belreguardo to beat money, and celebrates its memory through theatrical animations, historical re-enactments and narrative paths. Mercandè combines tradition and imagination, with particular attention to popular Piedmontese fairy tales, and involves the public in interactive activities, guided tours and workshops at the Museum Arts and Crafts of a Time. The event is usually held in October.^[22]

Inhabitants registered^[24]

According to ISTAT data at 31 December 2010 the resident foreign population was 171 people. The nationalities most represented by their percentage of the total population living were:

1. Romania, 79 (6,00%)
2. Republic of Macedonia, 50 (3.80%)
3. Morocco, 19 (1.44%)