The hamlet of Montesinaro

Although no trace remains of the earliest settlements in the area, we do know that Piedicavallo is recorded as a permanent village, inhabited on a stable basis “for the first time in the rental list of Bishop Lombardo della Torre”, in the early part of the 14th century. A hundred years later, the first permanent settlements were recorded in Montesinaro.

Remo Valz Blin, in his book “Memoria sull’Alta Valle d’Andorno”, 1959) writes: “The inhabitants are generally of a lively temperament, more so than in the other surrounding villages, and always in a cheerful mood, although they do not forget their duty. They appear, more than elsewhere, welcoming and hospitable to foreigners, who willingly flock there, including because of the healthy climate and the excellent opportunities for hiking in the surrounding countryside”.

Situated in a favourable spot, from the church of San Grato, built in 1715, a magnificent view can be enjoyed of the entire Cervo Valley. The first indications of the establishment of the parish of Montesinaro occurred in 1733, when the people of Montesinaro manifested their desire to separate religiously from Campiglia, following the splitting up of the single municipality of Valle. It was only in 1749 that the church of San Grato obtained some small concessions, at the behest of the Bishop of Vercelli, Monsignor Gian Pietro Solaro.

On 18 March 1754, the parish of Montesinaro acquired its autonomy. It was only due to the gradual and lasting depopulation that, with the Decree of 30 June 1986, Monsignor Albino Mensa, apostolic administrator of the diocese of Biella, proclaimed the unification of the parishes of San Michele di Piedicavallo and San Grato di Montesinaro. The church of San Grato contains a number of sacred art works. The Patron’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in September, as the day dedicated to Saint Gratus is 7 September.

Visitors to Montesinaro will find a number of beautiful and characteristic pathways or stairways leading to the centre of the village where splendid “volts” (stone arches) can be admired together with stone benches for a “possa” (a little rest), beautiful fountains and washhouses, also in stone, which adorn the village. Other particular features are the roofs of the buildings, made of “lose”, a local stone and the many rural buildings in traditional style.

This charming route offers an alternation of rural and noble buildings, adorned with typical wooden lofts and stone and wooden balconies. From Montesinaro, various trails, for the more and less experienced (depending on the destination), in just a short time lead to charming mountain hamlets located upstream of Montesinaro itself.