Nell'elenco dell'associazione dei Borghi più belli d'Italia figura anche Ostana, piccolo comune della Valle Po che, negli ultimi anni, è riuscito ad attuare un intelligente piano di riqualificazione architettonica.
Il paese, che conta solo un'ottantina di abitanti, è costituito da diverse borgate sparse sul versante assolato della montagna e con vista sulla cima del Monviso.
Ad Ostana, come in tutta la Valle Po, è ancora forte la tradizione Occitana. Il suo nome pare derivare dal termine occitano oust, Agosto, probabilmente legato alle pratiche di transumanza, visto che per un lungo periodo questo fu solo un'area dedicata al pascolo estivo.
Sebbene reperti archeologici testimonino che la Alta Valle Po fosse già abitata durante la prima età del ferro,
Ostana compare nei documenti ufficiali solo a partire dal 1301 quando era sotto la giurisdizione dei Signori di Barge. In seguito divenne territorio del Marchesato di Saluzzo e, nel 1548 sudditanza francese quando il marchesato viene annesso alla Francia.
Nel XIX secolo il paese vide il maggior incremento demografico della sua storia, ma lo spopolamento delle montagne iniziato nel dopoguerra colpi anche questa zona.
Ora, con il recupero delle tradizioni e delle antiche abitazioni in pietra e legno, si sta cercando d'invertire la tendenza.
Il modo migliore per conoscere il borgo è esplorarlo a piedi. Sono stati sistemati sentieri e strade che collegano le varie borgate e poste indicazioni nei punti più caratteristici. In questo modo è possibile ammirare gli elementi di architetura alpina, cappelle, piloni votivi, "meire" e panorami mozzafiati.
La borgata più suggestiva è senza dubbio Miribrart anche detta San Antonio, con case dai tetti in losa addossate le une alle altre e costruite in pietra. Molte riportano incisa la data di costruzione da cui si vede che diverse risalgono agli inizi 1800 e non sono neppure le più antiche. Sempre in questa borgata è da ammirare la piccola Cappella di Sant'Antonio con il portico attraversato dalla strada.
Il centro amministratico di Ostana si trova in località La Villo. Qui, all'interno del Palazzo Comunale, ha sede il Museo Etnografico che custodisce 750 oggetti di uso comune attraverso i quali è possibile approfondire la conoscenza della storia e delle tradizioni locali.
Da vedere, in borgata La Villo, anche la Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Claudio. L'attuale edificio dei primi anni del Novecento ha sostituito l'antica costruzione datata prima metà del Quattrocento.
Sia d'estate che d'inverno Ostana rappresenta un'interessante meta turistica per lo sport, le tradizioni e per scoprire, anche attraverso i numerosi eventi promossi, questo magnifico territorio.
Ostana, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy - Po Valley
In the list of the Most beautiful villages in Italy there is also Ostana , a small town in the Po Valley which, in recent years, has managed to implement an intelligent architectural redevelopment plan.
The village, which has only about eighty inhabitants, is made up of several hamlets scattered on the sunny side of the mountain and with a view on Monviso top.
In Ostana , like in the whole Po Valley, the Occitan tradition is still strong. Its name seems to result from the Occitan term "oust", August, probably linked to transhumance practices, given that for a long period this was only an area dedicated to summer pasture.
Although archaeological finds testify that the Upper Po Valley was already inhabited during the early Iron Age,
Ostana appears in official documents only starting from 1301 when it was under the jurisdiction of the Lords of Barge. Later it became the territory of the Marquisate of Saluzzo and, in 1548, French subjection when the marquisate was annexed to France.
In the nineteenth century the country saw the greatest population increase in its history, but the depopulation of the mountains that began after the world war also affected this area.
Now, with the recovery of traditions and ancient stone and wood houses, efforts are being made to reverse the trend.
The best way to get to know the village is to explore it by foot. Paths and roads connecting the various villages have been set up and signs have been placed in the most characteristic points. In this way it is possible to admire the elements of alpine architecture, chapels, votive pillars, "meire" and breathtaking views.
The most suggestive hamlet is undoubtedly Miribrart also called San Antonio, with houses with losa roofs set against each other and built in stone. Many have engraved the date of construction which shows that several date back to the early 1800s and are not even the oldest. In this township you can see also the small Chapel of Sant'Antonio with the portico crossed by the road.
The administrative center of Ostana is located in La Villo. Here, inside the Town Hall, there is the Ethnographic Museum which houses 750 objects of common use through which it is possible to deepen the knowledge of local history and traditions.
To see, in the hamlet of La Villo, also the Parish Church of San Claudio. The current building of the early twentieth century replaced the ancient building dating from the first half of the fifteenth century.
Both in summer and in winter Ostana represents an interesting tourist destination for the sports, traditions and to discover, also through the numerous events promoted, this magnificent area.
In the list of the Most beautiful villages in Italy there is also Ostana , a small town in the Po Valley which, in recent years, has managed to implement an intelligent architectural redevelopment plan.
The village, which has only about eighty inhabitants, is made up of several hamlets scattered on the sunny side of the mountain and with a view on Monviso top.
In Ostana , like in the whole Po Valley, the Occitan tradition is still strong. Its name seems to result from the Occitan term "oust", August, probably linked to transhumance practices, given that for a long period this was only an area dedicated to summer pasture.
Although archaeological finds testify that the Upper Po Valley was already inhabited during the early Iron Age,
Ostana appears in official documents only starting from 1301 when it was under the jurisdiction of the Lords of Barge. Later it became the territory of the Marquisate of Saluzzo and, in 1548, French subjection when the marquisate was annexed to France.
In the nineteenth century the country saw the greatest population increase in its history, but the depopulation of the mountains that began after the world war also affected this area.
Now, with the recovery of traditions and ancient stone and wood houses, efforts are being made to reverse the trend.
The best way to get to know the village is to explore it by foot. Paths and roads connecting the various villages have been set up and signs have been placed in the most characteristic points. In this way it is possible to admire the elements of alpine architecture, chapels, votive pillars, "meire" and breathtaking views.
The most suggestive hamlet is undoubtedly Miribrart also called San Antonio, with houses with losa roofs set against each other and built in stone. Many have engraved the date of construction which shows that several date back to the early 1800s and are not even the oldest. In this township you can see also the small Chapel of Sant'Antonio with the portico crossed by the road.
The administrative center of Ostana is located in La Villo. Here, inside the Town Hall, there is the Ethnographic Museum which houses 750 objects of common use through which it is possible to deepen the knowledge of local history and traditions.
To see, in the hamlet of La Villo, also the Parish Church of San Claudio. The current building of the early twentieth century replaced the ancient building dating from the first half of the fifteenth century.
Both in summer and in winter Ostana represents an interesting tourist destination for the sports, traditions and to discover, also through the numerous events promoted, this magnificent area.
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