Mezzenile is situated on the Stura right bank, on a lush plateau reaching out to the foot of Rocca Moross and Uja Calcante.
The name may originate from the late Medieval Latin word “mansionile” meaning farmhouse with a plot of land; this could suggest a medieval settlement. In the XIth century, Mezzenile, Balangero, Monastero, Ceres, Ala, Chialamberto, Cantoira, Monasterolo were properties of the Benedictine monks of the San Mauro Pulcherada Abbey. A Mathi priory managed these territories. The same monks founded or rebuilt many of these villages. The oldest document concerning Mezzenile is the Guglielmo VII of Monferrato’s mining claim for local mines exploitation. In those days Mezzenile already was an important village. It had a parish church and was seat for many handcrafts linked to mining, such as nail production. As a matter of fact, in old times Mezzenile, Pessinetto and Traves were well known for their nail production. In the XIVth century the Savoy Family replaced the Santa Maria di Pulcherada Monastery in the management of the territory. After Vittorio Amedeo II splitted the Lanzo Marquise territories, Mezzenile passed on to the Beltramo of Monastrolo family and, in the XVIIIth century, to the Counts Francesetti. Count Luigi Francesetti is remembered for having written a travel through the Lanzo Valleys journal.
