The miracle of wheat and the magic tastes of Monferrato: a day at Lu Monferrato, Piedmont
A grove sacred to the deity and full of light, that the ancient Romans called Lucus here is the origin of the name of Lu, this beautiful village of Casale Monferrato. This time, for our day out we decided to follow in the footsteps of ancient gods, choosing the country as a destination site on the highest hill of a large area characterized by a succession of hills overlooking the plain of Alexandria. The beauty of this landscape, also praised by the poet of the Renaissance Jailbird Carretto, and the fertility of the land crossed by the river made the territory of present-Grana Lu already attractive to prehistoric populations. In fact, the Roman Villa of methyl, which derives its name Medil, stood right here between the first and fourth centuries and was the center of agricultural and handicraft. Always here early Christian burial area was found which showed the oldest Christian inscription of the southern Piedmont. In the same area is the Church of St. John Medil, founded in the seventh century.
The current town of Lu was born as "Curtis" farm or organized, then become a "castrum", storage, and agricultural and military stronghold by the end of the thirteenth century, a real village protected by a large wall, with inside districts, squares and several churches including those of San Nazario and Santiago. In the rural tradition is also connected with the curious legend of St. Valerius, the patron saint of the country. It is said that in the fourth century, in the midst of a rather rigid and snowy winter, word spread that had erupted not far from a field of ripe wheat. The inhabitants on the spot and ran incredulous gasped: a large field of ripe wheat, golden color of the sun in summer, there floated before their eyes. They shouted once the miracle of saying prayers and went to work to collect the unexpected gift of God was then in the middle of that field that made the discovery of the remains of the martyred bishop St. Valerius since then is revered as the patron of Lu . The patronal feast, that occurs every year on January 22, is the most important religious event, and folklore of Lu, known for its numerous cultural events including the exhibition of pop-rock "Lust" and the piano weeks "Pianoechos ".
During our walk we admired the breathtaking view that opens from the viewpoint also called Vicarage, we climbed up to the fifteenth-century tower and we visited the church of San Valerio, where the relics of the saint, as well as many other beautiful churches, including the Church of Santa Maria Nuova, built in the mid-fifteenth century, the Church of St. Blaise, now desecrated, the Church of St. Joseph, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the Church of St. James, the thirteenth century that has recently been restored and reclaimed from the degradation she had fallen in previous centuries. Visiting the Museum at the old St. James House of the Regency, we admired a hundred works of art and religious art objects, many dating back to medieval times.
We remain in the history of syphilis in the choice of the place where to stop for dinner: Restaurant Horace Gherzi Square, which is the main town square. "We know that in 1870 there was already an inn that served as shelter for the horses of the travelers and also had some rooms," he told the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Daniel who run this historical place since 1985. Even Charlotte, their daughter still engaged in studies, gives parents a hand.
We start our dinner, the flavors with a rich traditional Piedmontese appetizer of sliced ??meats selected local, raw meat, the peppers and the veal with tuna sauce Bagna Cauda. We follow them from the essential goodness of homemade ravioli, stew prepared with the sauce and noodles with mushrooms. "In the preparation of sauces, we follow the seasons, varying them every week," explains Ms. Daniela. Some of us choose to enjoy a delicious soups of the house. In the choice of enthusiasts and second we Piedmont tradition with braised, stewed donkey and the pride of the local rabbit with white wine. The rest of our group opted instead for the fry to the Piedmont and there are those who take another dish of mixed boiled Piedmont. Washed down with wines of Monferrato, but some of us choose the labels of the Langhe and Roero.
A day so enjoyable can only end in great sweetness, thanks to the greedy proposals of the house: some nice slice of pie, apple pie and hazelnut trifle, and especially the irresistible bunet, typical dessert from Piemonte.
Frances Bertha
FOR INFORMATION:
www.comune.lu.al.it
www.ristoranteoraziolu.it
Restaurant Horace
Gherzi Square, 5 Lu (AL)
0131/741138