Moransengo: sights, history and trails

Country Monferrato located 400 meters above sea level, in the province of Asti, it develops on an area of 540 hectares and has a population of 192 inhabitants.

The village is aligned on a high watershed. From the hill group of Tonengo, Moransengo and Aramengo some of the most important water courses in Monferrato are born: Stura, Versa and Triversa.
Confinante con Brozolo (TO), Brusasco (TO), Cavagnolo (TO), Cocconato (AT), Tonengo (AT), il comune di Moransengo was part of the Collinare Alto Astigiano Community.

The village lies on a long hilltop that dominates the valley: its territory is intensely cultivated with vineyard. Like other countries in the area the suffix -engo is to indicate its Germanic origin and more exactly Lombardy. Since its origins under the high lordship of Monferrato, it has passed over the centuries under the dominion of many families: in 1164 it was again subjected to the Marquis of Monferrato that kept him long, transmitting it to his descendants. It was later infeuded to some dominant families the territory of Montiglio Monferrato. At the entrance to the town you can see the eighteenth-century Parish Church of Saints Agata and Vitale, with a façade in the warm color of terracotta.

The original name Muratianum Astensium, assigned to it by the Latins, was subsequently changed to Moranseng, after the settlement, around 700 d.C., of a village of populations of Lombard origin. Nothing is known from the early Middle Ages; however, it is certain that it was a fief of the bishop of Vercelli. In the 1164 Federico Barbarossa confirmed the dominion of the Marquis Guglielmo il Vecchio in Monferrato. Until the beginning of the ‘700 the history of the place will remain tied to the events of the lordship of Montiglio.

At the top of a high hill rises the Castle, of ancient origin: in 1680 it was purchased by merchant Carlo Andrea Galiziano who assumed the title of Conte, and his descent remained long mistress of the country. In 1704, following the siege of French troops who plundered the country and burned the castle, the town was moved to the present parish church and the Castle underwent radical transformations that led it to assume the current aspect of stately residence, now destined for private housing. The manor, consisting of two bodies united at angle, of different height, presents the most interesting part in the main facade, preceded by a double staircase. Recently, the current property has accomplished a wise restoration, destinating part of the interior to collection of contemporary art and the natural park of cultural events.

The economy of the country has not undergone significant changes and is almost exclusively agricultural. There are some cattle farms of Piedmontese breed and two rabbit farms.

A farmer is dedicated to the interesting activity of cultivating and providing medicinal plants to a cooperative.

Relevant for the economy are also the cutting and marketing of wood, both fine and firewood, and viticultural cultivation.

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