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The Ciantùn of Berbenno
The legendary Chestnut Tree among the terraced vineyards of Berbenno amazes with its unique shape.
Berbenno in Valtellina, an important and historic municipality on the Rhaetian side of the valley, consists of several hamlets, some of them far apart.
Each has its own characteristics, although one landscape element unites them: the steep slopes have been softened by incredible terracing, created by centuries-old dry stone walls. Renowned Valtellina wineries have vineyards in this area, and dedication to viticulture has ancient origins here. Between the villages of Monastero and Maroggia, there is a small cluster of houses, called Piasci, from which the tourist trail Via dei Terrazzamenti passes. Among the rustic buildings appears a very peculiar Chestnut tree (Castanea sativa), which, strongly tilted to the side, rests on a specially constructed stone pedestal.
A number of legends have arisen around the tree, locally known as "Ciantùn " (or as "Centùn"). It is said that the roots were so branched that they reached out and drained the wine barrels in the nearby cellars, but also that under its branches, as early as the 15th century, Saint Benigno De Medici (known as San Bello) rested. What is certain, however, is that the tree is centuries old, as evidenced by the trunk's circumference of more than 5 meters (diameter 165 cm).
In terms of history and bearing, it is one of the most fascinating chestnut trees in Valtellina. Also worth mentioning, at Bedognolo di Grosio, is the largest chestnut tree in the region with a circumference of 12 meters.
A green monument that can be freely visited.
