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NIZZA MONFERRATO |
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Comune
di Nizza Monferrato
P.zza Martiri di Alessandria 19
Tel. 0141/720511
E-mail: nizza@tin.it
Mayor: Maurizio Carcione
Population: 10031
Altitude: 267 a.s.l.
Carabinieri: p.zza Marconi 26
Tel. 0141/721623 |
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Nizza
was probably founded around 1225 by refugees
who settled at the point where the Nizza
river flows into the Belbo river, around
the old church of the Abbazia di San Giovanni
in Lanero. Called “Nizza of the
Thatch” due to the roofing that
covered the first houses, it later assumed
the name of Nizza Monferrato when the
city was placed under the protection of
the Marquises of Monferrato, in 1264.
The history of Nizza tells of an almost
continuous alternation of wars.
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| LOCAL
AREA-ECONOMY |
| Nizza
lies in mainly hilly area that extends for
31 square km. It is the capital of Barbera
wine: the soil is dry, with a well-balanced
composition thanks to the geological changes
wrought by the climate over the years, and
the grapes grown here are hardy and healthy.
As well as Barbera, cardoons and truffles,
Nizza is also the historical home of the renowned
“razza piemontese” breed of cattle. |
| SILVER
MEDAL FOR MILITARY VALOUR |
| Nizza
Monferrato was conferred the Silver Medal
for Military Valour as it was the nerve centre
of the High Monferrato area, taking in 37
communes and the hamlets of San Marzanotto
and Montemarzo d’Asti. The city has
always considered this high decoration not
as exclusively local, but as the genuine historical
and moral legacy of all the towns and villages
in the Republic and the ruling People’s
Junta. |
| EVENTS |
| In
April the Santo Cristo Fair is held, with
an exhibition of agricultural machinery linked
to viticulture and a show of “razza
piemontese” beef cattle. The Barrel
Competition and ‘Monferrato at the Table’
are held on the third Sunday in May. This
is a significant reminder of what was a local
art form for a long time: the construction
of barrels by able craftsmen, an activity
that made the city famous. |
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