Ferrere: sights, history and trails

Ferrere, with the name of Ferraria, is documented for the first time in 1034 among the properties of the counts of Pombia. In the year 1100 it was assigned by the bishop of Asti to the noble Garretti family, who built a first castle there, which was then partially destroyed and rebuilt higher up and called Castelvecchio.

Like other nearby municipalities, Ferrere underwent Spanish rule and French invasion. In 1630 the country suffered a disastrous flood and the population was decimated by an epidemic of plague that struck all northern Italy. Because of these calamities, many inhabitants moved to the surrounding hills and settled there permanently creating new villages still existing.

Between 1780 and 1785, the Garretti built a large villa in the form of a castle but without fortifications, which was called Castelrosso. The accounts were lords of Ferrere until 1851 when they sold their property to the Gromis of Trana, who in 1910 sold them to Emanuele Montalcini.^[4]

The ancient village is part of the system "Castelli Aperti" del Basso Piemonte: in the area there were two castles, the oldest of which is still visible; the second one, called Castelrosso, underwent modifications in the eighteenth century by Filippo Castelli.

One of the castles has now become elementary school and kindergarten. It is also home to the municipality.

Castelrosso is located on the San Defendente hill and since 1910 it was owned by Emanuele Montalcini, a father-in-law of the Nobel Prize Rita Levi Montalcini who, although he was born in Turin, spent much of his youth in the village, guest of his uncle.^[4] The building underwent further renovations a few years ago. It is located near the nursing home for elderly people, who took its name from this castle.

Ferrere owns a stable economy mainly commercial and agricultural. There are a foundry in which pieces are produced for trucks and other small mechanical enterprises; a crafts factory and agrisalumeria, as well as numerous wine cellars. There is also a sand quarry in the hamlet of Gherba, accessible only by Ferrere, but the quarry is on the municipal territory of Cisterna d'asti

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