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MONTAFIA |
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Comune
di Montafia
P.zza Camillo Riccio 9/a
Tel. 0141/997003
E-mail: comunemontafia@inwind.it
Mayor: Paolo Faussone
Population: 936
Altitude: 262 a.s.l.
Carabinieri: p.zza Camillo Riccio
Tel. 0141/997004 |
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The
first part of the name appears to derive
from Montà, the second from Alphaeus,
which could therefore be interpreted as
“the hill of Alfeo”. In 1268
the land passed from the Commune of Asti
to the bishopric of Turin. In 1577 Emanuele
Filiberto claimed the estate for himself,
but not for long, as Pope Gregory XIII
ordered the bishop of Cervia to take possession
of the land. In the 18th century prince
Michele Imperiali acquired the estate,
and built his country residence on the
site of the castle.
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| LOCAL
AREA-ECONOMY |
| Like
the other communes in the Asti area, the economy
of Montafia revolves around cereal crops and
wine production. In recent years the people
of the village have gradually stopped working
in the fields (the fact that this is a hilly
area has certainly contributed to that), and
the landscape bears witness to this, with
a return to lush green woodland. |
| ART
AND ARCHITECTURE |
| One
of the oldest religious buildings in the Asti
area is the Chiesa di San Martino, in the
village cemetery of Montafia. It has a very
simple structure, with a gabled roof and plaster
façade divided into five sections by
pilasters, and a curved doorway. The most
interesting feature is the apse, the exterior
of which has a cornice of hanging arches sculpted
with a ribbon motif. |
| EVENTS |
| There
is an “agility dog” event in July,
popular among dog-lovers. During the month
of August there is a summer theatre season,
with shows for all the family, for both locals
and tourists, who are increasingly choosing
to explore the gentle hills of the Monferrato
area. On the third Sunday in October is the
Patron Saint’s Day dedicated to San
Dionigi. |
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