Since I was a child I knew the uppermost part of Via Griselda, just before the sharp turn that goes through a tunnel, is called “Belvedere.” I never questioned the reason, as it is quite self-explanatory: one side of the road features a balcony overlooking the western part of Saluzzo and offers a broad panoramic view of the Alps and the Po River plain. That was until I noticed, shockingly recently due to my aimless wandering in the old town, at the very top of the building overlooking the view, an old and faded wall inscription in large letters that says “BELVEDERE”. This made me curious: Is Belvedere an eponym? Was there, a century ago, a hotel or some other kind of commercial establishment called “Belvedere” (clearly named after the view) that gave the place its name? Or was it the other way around? Did they paint the word “Belvedere” on the building because it stands at the top of a place already called that? Who knows… In any case, neither the panoramic view nor the building with the inscription is visible here in my drawing.

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