Refrancore

Infobox CityIT
official_name =Comune di Refrancore
name = Refrancore
img_coa = refrancore-Stemma.png region = RegioneIT|sigla=PMN
province =ProvinciaIT|sigla=AT (AT)
elevation_m = 150
area_total_km2 = 13.15
population_as_of = 2005
population_total = 1638
population_density_km2 = 124.56
coordinates = coord|44|56|14|N|8|20|31|E|region:IT_type:city(1,638)
frazioni = Barcara, Bonina, Calcini, Maddalena, Platona, Rossi
telephone = 0141
postalcode = 14030
gentilic = Refrancoresi
saint = St. Denis
day = 18 September
mayor = Italo Mussio
(elected June 13, 2004)
website = http://www.comune.refrancore.at.it
mapx = #expr:44 + 56 / 60.0
mapy = #expr:8 + 20 / 60.0 Refrancore (Piedmontese: "Ël Francó" or "Arfrancor") is a village in the northwestern Italian province of Asti in the Piedmont region, located some 13 km east of Asti in the Basso Monferrato. The territory of the commune extends over an area of 13.15 km² and is largely devoted to agriculture, in particular to vineyards growing the Grignolino and Barbera wine grapes.

Although having only around 1,600 official residents, the population and activity within the village is enhanced by the presence of holiday homes and surrounding hamlets which officially lie within other village boundaries.

History and main sights

The name Refrancore derives from a battle fought between the Franks and Lombards. The battle was won by the Lombards and the blood spilt by the Franks tinted a local stream red giving the area the Latin name "Rivus ex sanguine Francorum" which literally means “A stream full of the Franks’ blood”. This became abbreviated to "Rivusfrancorum" and eventually Refrancore.

At one time there was a small castle on the hill above the village, a drawing of which appears in the Codex Astensis. The last remains of the castle were razed in the 19th century in preparation for the construction of a church which was never actually built.

On the hill near the site of the Castle there is a fifteenth-century "ricetto" fort which has remained almost entirely intact. Presently it is used as a kindergarten and old people’s home. The chapel which was part of the fort has been restored.

In the main square there is a clock tower which is all that remains of the eighteenth-century parish church which was demolished at the start of the twentieth century.