In Italy and in the world, there are many lovers of medieval history and traditions. Our country is full of medieval villages, each with its own particular story, with its own buildings e monuments more or less well preserved. One of the most interesting places in this sense is the Candel recipe. It is a'ancient fortified structure di medieval era, located (naturally) within the municipality of Candelo in the province of Biella. Its peculiarity is precisely the state of conservation. Despite the passing of the centuries, in fact, the buildings are still intact. As the official Ricetto website states, this is "the only structure of this type in Europe perfectly preserved". Ricetto di Candelo has also been included in the circuit of most beautiful villages in Italy.
A bit of history
The documented history of the village of Candelo begins around the year 1000. The name "ricetto" derives from the Latin "receptor", that is to say "refuge". The structure, however, did not have a defensive purpose, but rather of conservation of agricultural products for the local farming community. In 988 Canderium (ancient name of the village) is mentioned in an official act as a fiefdom belonging to Manfredo from Otto III. The following year, it will pass into the hands of the Vercelli church. The current Ricetto is dated between the end of the XNUMXth century e the beginning of the fourteenth century. This is built by the inhabitants of the village on the land of the family Vialardi of Villanova, with the payment of an annual fee. The first real documentation of the Ricetto is in 1374, when the city spontaneously passes under the control of Savoy family and then under the Fontana.
In 1496 Candelo becomes a fief of Sebastiano Ferrero, feudal lord linked to the House of Savoy, and then of his nephew Filiberto Ferrero-Fieschi. In the mid-sixteenth century, the village will be one of the places of confrontation in the struggles between Spagnoli e French, which will cause serious damage to the Ricetto (later repaired). In 1577 Candelo from a fiefdom becomes a county. In the following century there will be new fights between the French and the Spaniards and the plague will decimate the population of the county. The last feudal lord of Candelo will be Carlo Sebastiano Ferrero Fieschi (1785). Finally, in the early years ofnineteenth century, with the Napoleonic occupation and the annexation of Piemonte to the France, the administrative structure of the cities and villages will be changed.
The Ricetto of Candelo
Also known as the "Medieval PompeiiDue to its state of conservation, the Ricetto di Candelo occupies an area (with a pentagonal plan) of 13.000 m². Inside the walls are present 200 cells privately owned (not communicating with each other). The lower floor was intended for use cellar, while on the drier upper floor they were preserved germ e cereals. At the corners they are instead 4 towers (including a tower-door for access to the Ricetto). In the center is the Prince's Palace, or the palace of Sebastiano Ferrero, built in 1496. THE internal streets they are called street (just like in French) and the main one was used for the passage of wagons. Today at the Ricetto they can be found workshops of local artisans, the Documentation Center of Recipes in Europe, museum of the natural and historical landscape of viticulture and Small Museum of cooking and pastry things.
The events of the village during the year
Il Ricetto is not the only reason to visit Candelo. In fact, during the year various events are organized, such as the Feast of Sant'Antonio (in January), with the traditional horse parade. During Historic Carnival, the inhabitants of the village organize a historical re-enactment, relating to the controversy between the Candelesi and Sebastiano Ferrero. In May, however, the village can be visited during the festival Candle in bloom or the festival Sapor of the Middle Ages (the two events alternate every year). May and June are the months of music. In this period the Ricetto di Candelo also hosts the event Musical May, with performances by musicians in the rue del Ricetto. On the other hand, events such as international, theatrical performances, but also wine tastings e typical products, such as candelese scoop (a specialty salami from Biella). Finally, in December, the Recipe it is filled with Christmas markets, with the now traditional Santa's Village.
Ricetto di Candelo is a small medieval corner in the province of Biella. It is a enchanted place, which can attract all history buffs, but also curious tourists, looking for beautiful villages to visit. If you stop in Biella or in Novara for a short vacation, spending a day at Ricetto di Candelo could be a pleasant surprise. Seeing is believing.
Featured photo source: © Twice25 & Rinina25 - Wikimedia Commons - GFDL e CC BY 3.0.
