Comune Morbello

via Roma, 1 - 15010 Morbello (AL)
Tel. +39 (0144) 768.146
Fax: +39 (0144) 768.277
E-mail: anagrafe@comune.morbello.al.it
http://www.comune.morbello.al.it/

Unlike other villages in the area, perched on a hill or around a castle, Morbello is divided into several cores: Morbello Piazza, Costa, Vallosi, and various hamlets that extend across a vast territory of hills and woods, rich in flora and fauna, and rich in mushrooms and chestnuts.

Already mentioned in a 10th-century document, the "Charter of the Foundation and Donation of the Abbey of San Quintino in Spigno," under the name Mirbello. There is a flattering legend according to which the toponym MORBELLO derives from "AMOR BELLO," a sweet expression attributed to a gallant knight addressing his beloved maiden. While this is a tempting interpretation, it bears no relation to a serious toponymic investigation. Valid interpretations are those that consider this toponym to derive from "MONS-RUBENS" (plenus), meaning "mountain covered with downy oaks." Others derive it from "MONS-BELLUM," meaning a place associated with the idea of war. Still others derive it from "MONS-RUBELLUM," meaning "reddish," as it might have appeared to a distant observer, due to the reddish color of the stone and earth that comprise Mount Laione, the highest peak and therefore visible even from the surrounding areas.
The history of Morbello is a snapshot of Ligurian-Monferrato history. Situated on various routes between the sea and the plain, it was inhabited since ancient times and experienced the various dominations that followed one another over the centuries until its annexation to the Savoy State. Ligurians, Romans, Lombards, Franks, Aleramici, and Malaspina are well represented here, as are the political, economic, and social institutions: the castellaro, the castle, the fiefdom, the municipality, and the lordship.

The Morbello area was inhabited as far back as the Middle Paleolithic period, approximately 100,000 to 40,000 years ago. The people who lived in our area belonged to the Ligurian tribes of non-Indo-European origin. Some roads may have passed through here, connecting with the most important routes leading to the Ligurian Sea and the Po Valley hinterland. The Ligurians were a warlike and powerful tribe, but they left few traces of their civilization and were later expelled by the Romans.

The ruins of the Pallavicino castle with its square tower are fascinating, while in the Costa hamlet there are natural caves with stalactites and stalagmites (not open to visitors).

Morbello's typical products include amaretti biscuits, baci di dama (lady's kisses), nougat, and Dolcetto.

For further information, please visit the Municipality website: https://www.comune.morbello.al.it/it-it/vivere-il-comune/storia