Ciliegia di Pecetto Sculpture

Across the rolling hills of Pecetto Torinese, a giant, gleaming cherry stands tall. This is the Ciliegia di Pecetto Sculpture, a tribute to the region’s rich cherry-growing history. The Ciliegia di Pecetto Sculpture, erected in 2015, isn’t just a modern art piece. It’s a symbol of Pecetto’s identity, deeply intertwined with the cultivation of cherries, dating back to the ancient Romans. They likely introduced cherry trees to the area in their colony of Carreum Potentia, now Chieri. Local historians suggest the House of Savoy and the Camaldolese hermits of the Eremo further cultivated cherries in Pecetto during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Savoy family used cherries to attract birds for hunting, while the hermits crafted jams, liqueurs, and medicinal decoctions. The Ciliegia di Pecetto Sculpture represents this long and fruitful history. Imagine the early 1900s. The cherry market, not yet formalized, bustled along Via Maestra, now Via Umberto I, under the shade of the Chiesa dei Battù. Cherry cultivation, though secondary, played a crucial role in local families’ income. Women carried baskets brimming with cherries, eggs, poultry, vegetables, and other fruits to the Turin market. Others sold their goods to merchants gathered in the afternoon on Pecetto’s Via Maestra. The Ciliegia di Pecetto Sculpture serves as a reminder of this era. It evokes images of cherry trees growing at the head of rows of vines and in small meadows, dotting a landscape otherwise dominated by vineyards. The arrival of peronospora, a fungal disease, in 1899 devastated the vineyards. This prompted locals, like lawyer Mario Mogna, to seek an alternative. The proximity to Turin’s market made cherries an attractive option. The region’s favorable climate and southern exposure, sheltered from cold northern winds, created an ideal environment for cherry cultivation. Thus, cherry orchards expanded in the early 20th century. The Ciliegia di Pecetto Sculpture stands as a testament to this agricultural shift. The establishment of the cherry market in 1916 by Mayor Mario Mogna formalized the trade. This provided a dedicated space and established rules to protect both buyers and sellers, ensuring quality. Promotional efforts began. Young women from Pecetto offered cherries preserved in alcohol at the 1911 Turin International Exposition. In 1922, they offered cherry tastings in central Turin, further establishing Pecetto’s reputation as a cherry haven. The Ciliegia di Pecetto Sculpture embodies this tradition of excellence. The arrival of phylloxera in 1926, an insect that decimates vines, solidified Pecetto’s commitment to cherries. Vineyards were replaced by cherry orchards. New varieties were introduced in the 1930s, supported by strong promotion that coined the slogan “Pecetto – Cherry Country.” This image endures in the Piedmontese collective memory. The Ciliegia di Pecetto Sculpture reflects this enduring legacy.