From traditional fishing to farming on the morainic hills, we encounter the vivid memory of the rural civilization around Lake Viverone.
A landscape shaped by hard work and community
Let’s not underestimate Lake Viverone, because it’s not just a picturesque body of water surrounded by nature; it is also the heart of a region that, for centuries, thrived on agriculture, livestock, fishing, and solidarity among families. The fields, vineyards, woods, and barns still tell the silent story of those who, with hands in the soil and eyes to the sky, built the farming culture of the morainic hills. In this article, I’ll take you through ancient customs, forgotten trades, and the still-visible traces of an authentic agricultural civilization that endures over time.
Hills of hard work and hope: the relentless rhythm of the seasons
Farming and corn culture
The hills surrounding Lake Viverone have always been fertile and generous. Corn, vegetables, and grains were the main crops, and each season dictated the rhythm of daily life. Spring and summer were times for haymaking and grape harvesting, autumn for gathering chestnuts, and winter for spinning and (little) rest. Corn, introduced to Piedmontese farms in the 16th century, became a staple food, used to make polenta, the symbol of local peasant cuisine.
Livestock and self-sufficiency
Every family raised cattle, goats, and chickens. Milk was turned into fresh and aged cheeses, meat preserved using traditional methods—nothing was wasted. Barns were often located beneath the houses to make use of the animals’ warmth during the long winters. Life was modest, but resourceful and dignified.
Traditional fishing: the lake's silent wealth
The lake was a precious source of livelihood. Perch, bleak, carp, and whitefish were fished. Nets were cast at night and pulled in at dawn. Boats were light and built from wood by the fishermen themselves. Even today, on the right mornings, you can spot slow silhouettes on the water: the few remaining fishermen, silent keepers of ancient knowledge passed down quietly through the generations.
The 'La Steiva' Museum in Piverone: immersing in rural memory
To truly understand the rural life around Lake Viverone, a must-visit is the Agricultural and Ethnographic Museum “La Steiva” in Piverone. Created to preserve the memory of everyday activities in the rural world, it hosts:
original farming tools;
kitchen utensils and objects of family life;
faithful reconstructions of a barn, a bedroom, and a vintage kitchen.
It’s small but truly a local gem, lovingly cared for by passionate volunteers, offering visitors a concrete experience of peasant life. Visiting the museum is like opening a dusty trunk found at a flea market: inside, you find the scent of hay, the sound of hooves on cobblestones, and the voices of grandparents.
Fairs, communal ovens, and winter gatherings: life was community
Rural culture was not just work. It was sharing. Each village had a communal oven, where families would bake bread once a week. Agricultural fairs marked the seasons, and during winter gatherings, people would meet in warm barns to share stories, spin wool, and prepare festive dishes together.
A legacy that lives in the landscape and its people
Today, mechanization has changed agriculture and many activities have been lost, but the spirit of rural civilization around Lake Viverone survives in the landscape and the people. You can find it in the rows of vineyards, in the stone “ciabot” huts on the hills, in the stories of the elders, and in local products that preserve the flavors of the past.
Curious to know how this rural legacy becomes excellence?
In the next article, I’ll take you on a journey to discover local wines, especially *Erbaluce di Caluso*, born right here among these hills.
Stay with me and get ready for a journey through the vineyards of flavor.
See you next time!
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