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Refrancore
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refrancore-Stemmapng
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(AT)
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150
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1315
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2005
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1,638
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12456
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Barcara, Bonina, Calcini, Maddalena, Platona, Rossi
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0141
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14030
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Refrancoresi
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St Denis
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18 September
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http://wwwcomunerefrancoreatit
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( ''in the northwestern
Italian Province Of Asti in the
Piedmont region, located c. 15 east of
Asti .
Although having only around 1,600 official residents, the population and activity within the village is enhanced by the presence of
Holiday Home s and surrounding hamlets which officially lie within other village boundaries.
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 Refrancore, a drawing of which appears in
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 15th century '
Ricetto ' fort which has remained almost entirely intact. Presently it is used as a kindergarten and old peoples 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 18th Century Parish Church which was demolished at the start of the 20th Century.
