Azeglio

Introduction

A municipality in the upper Canavese area, overlooking the Malone valley. It was probably already inhabited in pre-Roman times: a partially Celtic sculpture depicting Janus Bifrontes was found here. According to scholars, it could date back to a moment of transition from the indigenous culture to the Roman one, which saw the road network as its main reason for local interest: in fact, the deity of Janus (Janus) was in charge of access routes (gates) and, by extension therefore, also of roads.

Description

Information sheet

Area: 9.96 square km
Altitude: 260m
Maximum elevation:
Number of inhabitants: 1305745
Name in dialect: Asèj
Name in local dialect: Azegliesi
Patron Saint: Saint Deodatus (4th Sunday in August)
Website: www.comune.azeglio.to.it
Webcam:
Neighbouring municipalities: Albiano d'Ivrea, Bollengo, Borgo d'Ale, Caravino, Palazzo Canavese, Piverone, Settimo Rottaro, Viverone
Villages, hamlets and localities: Cascine Sirio, Specura, Viassa, Villa, Castellazzo, Piane, Lago di Viverone, Pobbietta, fraction Pobbia

Description

 

Municipality in the upper Canavese area, overlooking the Malone valley. It was probably already inhabited in pre-Roman times: a partially Celtic sculpture depicting Janus Bifrontes was found here. According to scholars, it could date back to a moment of transition from the indigenous culture to the Roman one, which saw the road network as its main reason for local interest: in fact, the deity of Janus (Janus) was in charge of access routes (gates) and, by extension therefore, also of roads. Historically, we know that Corio had been a dominion of the Marquises of Ferrato since at least 1164, while throughout the Middle Ages it was at the centre of local struggles between the Savoys and their antagonists: at the centre of many disputes was the bastion of Rocca, located at the entrance to the Malone valley. The municipality of Corio also played a leading role in the tuchinaggio affair, a kind of peasant revolt that shook the Canavese area at the end of the 14th century and was bloodily crushed by the Red Count, Amadeus VII of Savoy. Other powerful moments in history include the terrible plague of 1629/30. The sick were isolated in huts called 'benè', located outside the town. The name has been handed down to this day; in fact, the hamlet of Benne is located in the same area. The rural economy of the origins has been supplanted by tourism and industry, the latter present with several small and medium-sized settlements. Of the old occupations, only artisanal woodworking remains flourishing.