A real jewel, near the doors of Turin: a trip to Chivasso, Italy

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A city of Roman origin, whose low-lying country bordering the green hills of the Monferrato Torinese and a landscape whose features are also enclosed in his name. The name Chivasso fact, it probably means "place in front of the hill", from Late Latin "clivaceus".
Reaching the city on a clear autumn day by summer temperatures still on the horizon also clearly distinguish the picturesque mountain ranges of the Alps in the Middle Ages the same enchanting landscape was admired by many pilgrims along the Via Francigena, along which represented Chivasso an important way station. At the beginning of the fifteenth of its strategic location made the city the capital even of the Marquis of Monferrato, although not considered part of this historic region. But already in previous centuries, under the Marquis of Monferrato, the city had experienced a prosperous period: several defensive structures were built, and even a castle in 1178, the future Cathedral, as well as a brand that could make coins of gold and of silver.
Aleramic the mighty castle today remains the spectacular octagonal tower, about twenty feet high. After the thirteenth century were carried out of interventions to increase it further with the addition of a brick building, demolished in the last century along with the ruins of the castle, during the works to open the present Via Po
The most important stage of our walk in the center is at the cathedral, consecrated in 1429. The facade of the church is spectacular with its many ornaments and terracotta figures, including the twelve Apostles and twelve Prophets. Not far away we admire the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built from 1584, but with the eighteenth-century interior and an attractive cylindrical bell, invented by the architect Bernardo Vittone.
In a city so full of history, legend and mystery can not miss. In fact, tradition has it that at a convent near Chivasso there was a miraculous wooden statue of the Virgin of Loreto. When, in 1639 the convent was destroyed by the troops of Thomas of Savoy-Carignano, the Capuchin Fathers saved the statue, which now worships on the altar of the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, founded by them in 1643.
The eighteenth-century Palazzo Santa Clara should become a cloister, but the project, being too expensive, unfinished, and that sumptuous building now houses the Town Hall.
We decide to crown our day Chivasso, spent among these wonders of art, with a nice dinner at the Restaurant Le Bistrot, in Piazza Garibaldi, in front of the station. Upon entering we welcome the cool young man in the bar which gives access to the rooms, all elegant and intimate, each with a few tables, but that all together make up about seventy seats.
"We opened about a year ago, and work with enthusiasm by offering a cuisine that draws on traditional recipes, recreates them with imagination and creativity," he says Marco, who manages the place with Angelo. "All our dishes are prepared with quality ingredients, less elaborate as possible," adding, as we begin to choose the starters. Let's start with the chest with potato fondue Toma Piemontese, egg yolk and black truffle, the silverside of beef marinated with pomegranate and zucchini chips, tuna confit with yogurt, nuts and onions braised in Barbera and the wings of the race Steam on a bed of grilled vegetables.
We follow this by good pumpkin ravioli and amaretto cream Castelmagno rags and porcini ragout of venison. Gustiamo also risotto with salmon, lemon and licorice, a combination with emotions, and the linguine with olives and sauce slightly spicy octopus. "Linguine we use are made by a Tuscan company, which produces pasta with wheat germ, the most rich in flavor and nutrients of the grain of wheat," explains Mark. In the second choice of our group divides us between the cheeks of veal with Dolcetto, cooked at low temperature for many hours, the pork fillet barded grapes, rolls of swordfish with tomatoes, capers and olives, caponata of vegetables and the slice of roasted red snapper baked in a bed of sun dried tomatoes and artichokes.
We conclude the evening with great sweetness and taste the warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and purple English, Bavarian chestnuts and meringue with chocolate, orange and foam at the cafoutis chamomile, in addition to the fantastic truffle cake or a biscuit brioche with over a ball of ice-cream, a crumble of chocolate with a cream made with pine nuts, thyme, truffle oil and bay leaf, above all with beautiful truffle, a marvel absolute, to try!

Bertha Frances

FOR INFORMATION:
www.comune.Chivasso.it
www.albergoditalia.com
Restaurant Le Bistrot
Piazza Garibaldi, 7 Chivasso (TO)
Tel: 011/9103679