The first news we have about Montemarzino trace back to the year 1081, when the village belonged to the Lords of Gavi; then, in 1089, it was submitted to the Municipality of Tortona.
In 1164 Federico Barbarossa gave Montemarzino to the Lords of Pavia until the reconciliation with Tortona. Subsequently, Montemarzino returned to the Lords of Gavi, who granted the property to the municipality of Genoa, then to the Doria, Spinola, and finally, in the XVIIIth century, to the Savoia family.
The name of Montemarzino is composed of “Monte” (mount) and “marzino” which in the local dialect is “Marsen” and comes from the Ligurian words “mar” (wonderful) and “sen” (sight), most likely referred to the privileged position where the castle was built. Its ruins lie precisely on a hill dominating the village, from where you can enjoy a beautiful landscape.
The municipality of Montemarzino is located partly in the Curone Valley and partly in the Grue Valley, including the villages of Segagliate, Barca, Costa, Reguardia, Roncascinate and Zebedassi. In the past, the village of Zebedassi was renowned for a mineral called Zebedassite. It is a black stone with pink veining, composed of magnesium and aluminium. For many years, zebedassite has been used only to build the local houses; later on, it was dedicated to other uses. In the XXth century a contractor decided to open a quarry where to cut the stones and make slabs to be sold.
The quarry was on the hills near a river, therefore a ropeway was built to bring the stones downstream. The ropeway is still visible today on the provincial road S.P. 100.
The area of Montemarzino has been important for the economy of the Curone Valley. In the village of Barca, for example, the ruins of an old water-mill, known as Mulino del Bue, are still evident. Over the centuries, this water-mill was not used only to mill the wheat but also to produce electricity for the whole valley.
The land surrounding Montemarzino is characterized by a flourishing nature, with several animals and wonderful wild orchids. The agriculture offers genuine and delicious products such as peaches, apples, pears and truffles. Local grapes produce Timorasso autochthonous excellent wine. From an architectural point of view, Montemarzino boasts several buildings of great historical significance, such as the romanesque apse of the church of Santa Maria in Scrimignano, the parish church of San Giovanni in Montemarzino dating back the XVIIIth century. The Oratory of San Giuseppe was built in 1709.
To keep local tradition going, in 2005 the acting company “Amici di Montemarzino – Vittorio Spoldi” was established, telling stories and legends in the local dialect.
(Translated by Maura Lugano)
