Vicoforte
Vicoforte (Vi in Piedmontese) is an Italian municipality located in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont, with a population of 3,147.
It is located about 30 km east of Cuneo, at an altitude of 598 m above sea level.
It belongs to the Monte Regale Mountain Union and is located in seismic zone 3A (low seismicity).
Placed in climate zone E, Vicoforte has a heating requirement of 2891 degree days, allowing heating systems to be turned on for fourteen hours daily from October 15 to April 15.
Originally called Vico (from the Latin Vicus, a place inhabited by rural people), it assumed its present name on December 14, 1862, made official by royal decree on January 11, 1863.
The term “fort” was added because of the presence of a fortification until 1684.
History
Initially inhabited by the Liguri Bagienni, the area was conquered by the Romans in the 1st century BC, who integrated the local population into the Camilia tribe.
Finds of Roman tombs, now preserved in the Cuneo Civic Museum, testify to this presence.
Little is known of the early medieval period, but around the year 1000, Vico is mentioned as part of the Committee of Bredulo.
In the January 26, 1041 diploma of Emperor Henry III the Black, the parish of San Pietro in Vico is mentioned for the first time.
In 1118, the community of Vico obtained co-ownership of local woodlands with the bishop of Asti, and in 1210 it drafted its first code of written laws, the Consuetudini di Vico.
In the early decades of the 13th century, many families moved to nearby high ground, forming the Villa Nova, later called Montis Regalis, today’s Mondovi.
After 1231, Vico was reduced to a village and administered by the Monregalese district until the July 19, 1698 edict of Victor Amadeus II of Savoy.
In the 16th century, Marian devotion led to the construction of the shrine, while in the following century, Vico participated in the Salt War, during which the local fortress was destroyed by insurgents, causing deportations and administrative changes.
In 1722, Vico was enfeoffed to Count Giuseppe Gerolamo Derossi of Usseglio, and in 1748 it was purchased by the Ferrero d’Ormea family, who held it until 1796.
Its strategic location attracted the interest of Napoleon Bonaparte during the Italian campaign, provoking reprisals and vandalism.
In 1809, the French hosted Pope Pius VII as a prisoner.
In the 20th century, Vicoforte suffered losses during the Resistance and in 1994 was hit by a flood that claimed one life.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms of Vicoforte, described as “gules, to the silver cross,” is adorned with a palm frond and an eagle, with a marquis crown.
Although not yet officially recognized, the coat of arms bears the Latin motto “Viribus Ingenique Ciunt Utroque Superbos,” based on the historical designs of the municipal banner.
The gonfalon is a drape of azure.
Pilgrimage site Vicoforte with the biggest elliptical dome in the world
Vicoforte is located at a height of 598 meters above sea level and is known mainly for the Basilica-Sanctuary Regina Montis Regalis built between 1596 and 1733.
The basilica has a beautiful legend attached to it, and that alone might raise your curiosity enough to want to pay Vicoforte a visit.
The origins of the basilica
The legend says that at the end of the 15th century, there was a simple column with a painting of the Holy Mary where the basilica now stands.
In 1592 a hunter accidentally shot the painting and allegedly it started bleeding from the wound.
After that day, miracles started happening: the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared to the first pilgrims and since then miraculous properties have been attributed to the statue such as healings and the conversion of heretics.
The word spread quickly and within years Vicoforte attracted pilgrims from all over Europe: more than 10,000 on some days.
In 1596, moved by so much devotion, the Bishop of Mondovì published the 240 miracles that the Holy Mary had performed and got the approval of Pope Clement VIII to build a temple around Mary’s column to honour her.
The harquebus used by the hunter can still be found in the museum and evidence of his shot can still be seen as a white, round mark under the left hand of the Virgin Mary.
Stylistic features
The basilica that resulted has the fourth biggest dome in the world and by far the biggest elliptical dome: around 37 by 25 meters and 75 meters tall.
The dome is decorated with 6,032m2 of paintings of the Holy Mary representing three Italian painting schools: the ‘Veneta’, the ‘Bolognese’ and the ‘Milanese’ ones.
To this day the Sanctuary remains one of the most admired and visited Maria-centres.
The dome, which is open to visitors, is of course a not to miss opportunity to marvel at this outstanding architectural masterpiece.
Surrounding buildings
It is not only the sanctuary that impresses though, it is also the elegant buildings that border the square in front of the sanctuary.
These buildings, which are now a stylish shopping area under beautiful arches, were once the quarters where the many pilgrims would rest; here they would provide thousands with accommodation, food and, if necessary, health care.
They have been beautifully conserved over time, making the whole site an enchanting charm.
Next to the sanctuary there is a nice grass area where children can play and families can picnic.
Food & Drinks
In Vicoforte, there are also many places where you can eat very well.
A very special restaurant, just outside the sanctuary, is ‘La Tavola Del Chiostro’ (the cloister’s table).
This restaurant is situated in an old cloister which gives the restaurant a great atmosphere.
Another special option very close to the sanctuary is La Cioccolocanda, a restaurant that integrates chocolate in all the courses.
Lastly Le Acque Gelateria Bar where you can buy brilliant ice creams set in a beautiful park.
A nice way to take a break from Vicoforte’s cultural beauty, or to treat the little ones with a much needed ‘Italian ice-cream jump around in the park’ moment.