Summer 1859. The war between France and Piedmont against Austria left many orphans after the battles of Magenta and Solferino and Don Bosco welcomed dozens of them. To cheer them up, he prepared a 20-day itinerary through the mountains of Monferrato. The places to visit are described in the “Casalis Dictionary“.

This Dictionary, from Turin thanks to Abbot Godofredo Casalis, had the official name “Historical, geographical, statistical and commercial dictionary of the States of His Majesty the King of Savoy” and was composed of 29 volumes.

It was kept at the National Library of Turin, where in 1859 it was consulted by Don Bosco, who noted emblematic places such as Albugnano, the Abbey of Vezzolano, the Castle of Montaldo. Precisely in these places, Don Bosco took the little orphans, involving them in a unique experience.

Source: salesianos.info