Cortemilia

City of Cortemilia
Comune
Comune di Cortemilia
City of Cortemilia Location of City of Cortemilia in Italy
Coordinates:
Country	Italy
Region	Piedmont
Province / Metropolitan city	Province of Cuneo (CN)
Frazioni	San Michele, San Pantaleo, Castella, Pieve, Bruceto, Doglio, San Giacomo, Santa Lucia, Sulite, Salino
Area
• Total	24.7 km2 (9.5 sq mi)
Population (Dec. 2004)
• Total	2,511
• Density	100/km2 (260/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Cortemiliesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	12074
Dialing code	0173

Cortemilia is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 70 kilometres (43 mi) southeast of Turin and about 60 kilometres (37 mi) northeast of Cuneo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 2,511 and an area of 24.7 square kilometres (9.5 sq mi).

The municipality of Cortemilia contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) San Michele, San Pantaleo, Castella, Pieve, Bruceto, Doglio, San Giacomo, Santa Lucia, Sulite, and Salino.

Cortemilia borders the following municipalities: Bergolo, Bosia, Castino, Perletto, Pezzolo Valle Uzzone, Serole, and Torre Bormida.

History

Prehistory and Roman age

In the area surrounding the town were found some fragments of artefacts and tools dated back to the Palaeolithic and Neolithic age, like an ax's front. These evidences confirm the possible existence of "stations" (settlements more or less temporary)in the area where nowadays Cortemilia is situated from the sixth until the second millennium BC.

The original center of Cortemilia is probably of pre-Roman origins but It bloomed during the Roman administration. The importance of Cortemilian during the Roman time is proved by some tombstones found just next the town centre.

Inside the town's coat of arm the name of the town is displayed in Latin language "Cohors Aemilia", which, according to a highly accredited hypothesis, is referred is referred to the console Marco Emilio Scaurus. He was the creator of the track "Via Aemilia Scauri" that connected Luni Vada Sabatia (Savona) with Its hinterland.

Gastronomy

Cortemilia is noted for production of one of the most famous types of hazelnut, the Tonda Gentile di Langa, awarded IGP status. Every August the town celebrates the Sagra della Nocciola (hazelnut fair).

Demographic evolution