CARAGLIO

AND ITS ANCIENT SILK MILL

The town of Caraglio is located at the entrance to the Grana Valley and is known as the place where a fine variety of garlic is grown. It houses a seventeenth-century silk mill, one of the oldest surviving examples of industrial archaeology in Europe, now a museum and showcase for the territory.

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The medieval historic centre of Caraglio, featuring Romanesque and Gothic architecture and elements, hosts the chiesa parrocchiale della Vergine Assunta (parish church of the Virgin of the Assumption), with a fifteenth-century baptismal font. Another appealing landmark is the ancient Chiesa di San Giovanni with Gothic layout and 15th century pictorial cycle, which looks out over the town from on high. From here you can reach the centre of the village via a steep set of stairs.
 

The santuario (sanctuary) of the Madonna del Castello, just outside the centre, occupies the former location of the ancient castle, with the ruins of its walls and towers still visible. Nearby, you come across a giant bench, brightly coloured in shocking pink and blue, part of Chris Bangle's Big Bench Community Project.
 

In the 17th and 18th centuries, agriculture and silkworm farming flourished in Caraglio. It is no coincidence then that the architectural jewel of the town is the Filatoio, or silk spinning wheel, one of the oldest surviving examples of industrial archaeology in Europe. The building resembles an elegant, almost fortified noble residence. It takes the form of a majestic construction with cylindrical corner turrets and a large portal surmounted by a balcony. During the guided tours, it is possible to admire the impressive twisting machines in operation, as well as the spinning wheel, the spinning mill and several service rooms. The Filatoio also hosts temporary exhibitions, and is home to the Porta di Valle, a showcase of the territory with associated info point.
 

Caraglio is certainly the fulcrum of a delicious gastronomy, offering potato gnocchi seasoned with Castelmagno PDO cheese produced in the nearby Valle Grana, the characteristic Madernassa pears, and garlic from Caraglio, a Slow Food presidium for its delicate flavor, easy digestibility, authenticity and traditional farming techniques. 
 

A trade fair and gastronomic event dedicated to garlic, entitled Aj a Caraj, is held here in November. Another important event for the town is the Fiera d’Autunno and Sagra dei Gnocchi al Castelmagno (Autumn Fair and Castemagno Gnocchi Festival) which takes place in September.

CUNEO ALPS: YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY. GRANA VALLEY

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