Places of Interests The Ligurian Riviera Tastings
Immerse yourself in a rich spectrum of sights and pleasures. Experience authentic villages, ancient churches, hills dotted with castles and unforgettable cultural landscapes that produce cheese, Piedmonts’ delicacies, wine and all kinds of nut specialties. The Langhe lies between the upper Po Valley near Turin and the Ligurian Alps and is part of the provinces of Cuneo and Asti. The hilly area, which increases significantly in altitude towards the south, is bordered by the Tanaro and Bormida rivers flowing northwards. The lower Langa is characterised by gentle hills on which mainly wine is cultivated. The upper Langa has higher hills and a slightly cooler climate.
Here are some recommendations:
Alba | Asti | Barbaresco | Barolo | Bergolo | Bossolasco | Bra | Castello Grinzane Cavour | Cherasco | Cortemilia | Cravanzana | Cuneo | La Morra | Mondovi | Monforte D’alba | Murazzano | Prunetto | Sale San Giovanni | Verduno | Vicoforte
Centre of wine and truffle trade and confectionery industry (FERRERO). Picturesque old town with the famous Truffle Museum. Among the most important buildings are the 15th century cathedral and the church dedicated to St. John the Baptist (Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista). In May 2009 the new Church of the Transfiguration (Chiesa dellaTrasfigurazione by Paolo Dellapiana) in the Mussotto district was inaugurated, a jewel of modern ecclesiastical architecture.
Centre of the province of the same name. The area around the town is authorised for the Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Grignolino, Malvasia and Moscato grape varieties, with the well-known red wines such as Barbera d'Asti, Dolcetto d'Asti, Freisad'Asti and Grignolinod'Asti, and the sparkling wines Asti Spumante or Moscato d'Asti. The Gothic cathedral from the 14th century and the city towers from the 13th century are worth seeing.
The red wine of the same name is grown here. The parish church of San Giovanni Battista, with its medieval tower, and the church of San Donato, which today houses the regional enoteca regionale del Barbaresco (Barbaresco Regional Wine Enoteca), are worth visiting.
Curving vineyards, defiant castles, snow-capped peaks on the horizon - around the municipality of Barolo, Piedmont seems picture-perfect. The famous red wine of the same name is grown here. Within the municipality, the Cannubi hill is one of the most famous wine-growing areas, as it has been cultivated with Nebbiolo grapes since Roman times. The small village has the medieval castle of the Faletti di Barolo, which houses the WiMu, the Wine Museum - a museum made visually interesting, which not only touches on the production of wine, but also shows a cultural history of wine.
Village entirely of sandstone decorated with frescos and mosaics. Wonderful views of the Bormida Valley.
Rose decorated old town with fine restaurants. The church Parrocchiale di San Giovanni and the manor house Palazzo dei Del Carretto are worth seeing.
Beautiful old town and centre of the cheese industry, which among other things produces the Bra cheese. Every two years in September Bra hosts the international cheese fair CHEESE (the next one in September 2021). The Italian Slow Food movement was founded in Bra, has its headquarters here and runs the Università di ScienzeGastronomiche in the Pollenzo district. The city is also a member of Cittàslow, a movement founded in 1999, also in Bra, to slow down and improve the quality of life in cities.
In and around Pollenzo are the archaeological sites with the remains of ancient Pollentia. The most important testimonies are the rectangular city complex, the necropolis, an aqueduct, walls, theatre, temple, forum and numerous inscriptions. The present village is built into the ancient amphitheatre, which is still clearly visible in the extraordinary oval layout of the village. To the northwest of the village centre is the Albertina, the 19th century manor house built in neo-Gothic style. It includes the church of San Vittore in the same style. The second courtyard of the Albertina complex, the Agenzia, now houses the Università di ScienzeGastronomiche, run by Slow Food.
Grinzane Cavour is in the middle of vineyards that are particularly famous for the red wine Barolo. The castle was converted several times between the 14th and 16th centuries from a fortress to a residence. Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (1810-1861), was one of the owners. A visit to the Castello, which today houses the Enoteca RegionalePiemontese, will allow you to discover the treasures of the region, fine truffles and first-class wines. You will also learn a lot about the history of Cavour and the customs and habits of rural life in the Langhe.
Founded in the 13th century and developed on Roman ground plan. In Cherasco vines are grown for Dolcetto d'Alba, a red wine with DOC status. Places of interest are the old town with San Pietro from the middle of the 13th century with Romanesque facade and campanile and the 13th century church of San Martino, the town museum "Giovanni Battista Adriani", the magic museum and the castle of the Visconti from the 14th century.
Wine-growing area for the Dolcetto d'Alba, a red wine with DOC status. The berries of the Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay grape varieties may be used to make Alta Langa sparkling wine. In addition, hazelnuts are grown and processed here - the hazelnut cake (Torta di Nocciole) is famous.
Situated on a ridge of the Alta Langa between the valleys of the Bórmida and Belbo. Cravanzana is in the centre of hazelnut cultivation. The Hazelnut Fair is held on the last Monday in September. There is also viticulture. The berries of the grape varieties Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay may be used to make Alta Langa sparkling wine. The castle of the Marchesi Fontana dates from the 17th - 18th century and was built on the foundations of a medieval castle.
Capital of the province of the same name and bishop's see. Beautiful old town with buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries and with almost complete arcades over wide pavements. Places of interest: Piazza Galimberti with neoclassical architecture, the arcades of the Middle Ages and Baroque (Old Town and Via Roma), Palazzo Casa Galimberti, Palace of the Court of Justice, Episcopal Palace, Cathedral Santa Maria del Bosco and the Soleri Viaduct.
Picturesque little town situated high up on a hill and with a breathtaking - or as the Italians would say "mozzafiato" - view. It is one of the most important wine-growing communities in Piedmont. Many of the best wines of the Barolo region come from here. The wine museum is worth a visit. Worth seeing are the Torre La Morra from the early 18th century and the parish church of San Martino, built in the 17th century by Michelangelo Garove. Also, worth a visit are the churches of San Rocco and San Sebastiano with bell tower - both from the 18th century.
Founded in the 12th century as "Mont ëdvico" (Monte di Vico) and since the 14th century catholic bishop's see. Has two beautiful old town areas in the lower and upper town, connected by a funicular. Recommended restaurants in the Piazza (upper town). Worth seeing are the cathedral San Donato, the church San Francesco Saveriowith paintings of the architect and painter Andrea Pozzo (17th century), the chapel Santa Croce from the 14th century with a gothic fresco cycle, the partly preserved medieval city wall (12th century) and the Torre del Belvedere from the 13th/14th century.
Picturesquely situated town on a hill with an old historically significant upper town. Behind the Cafè Enoteca Rocca, the route leads to the Upper Town, past pretty colorful houses and stone buildings, to the Horszowski Auditorium, where Monforte holds its famous jazz festival in July. The views from the upper part of Monforte show the unique landscape of the Langhe. In the distance the Alps can be seen. In autumn a red haze covers the land when the leaves of the vines change color.
Small old town with well preserved Saracen tower. From here there is a view as far as the Mediterranean Sea. Famous for some vineyards (Anna Bona / Einaudi) and its spicy cheeses. Excellentrestaurants.
Situated on a ridge between the Bórmida Valley and the Uzzone Valley. Founded in the 9th century, it is located in the Piedmont hazelnut growing area. Tuma di Prunetto is the typical cheese produced here. Worth seeing are the Castello Scarampi del Caretto di Pruney (built between the 14th and 16th century) and the 13th century sanctuary of Madonna del Carmine back with remarkable frescoes of the 15th and 16th century.
Beautiful small village center on a hill with a beautiful view of the Maritime Alps. Centre of fragrance and cultivation of medicinal herbs. Worth seeing is the church of San Giovanni Battista from the 12th century with remarkably preserved frescos.
Picturesquely situated wine village of the Langhe. From the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo there is a unique panoramic view of the surrounding municipalities. 180 hectares of Verduno's municipal territory are covered with vineyards. Of these, 99 hectares are dedicated to Barolo, 25 to Barbera and 24 to Dolcetto. The remaining 32 hectares are devoted to other varieties, of which VerdunoPelaverga, a light red wine with DOC status, is certainly the most important. The parish church of San Michele Arcangelo, built in 1708, is worth seeing, with facades in exposed masonry.
The symbol of the city is the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary of Vicoforte, built between 1592 and 1733 in the Baroque style. Its enormous dome, 75 meters high and 35 meters in diameter, is the largest elliptical dome in the world. Since December 2017 the Sanctuary has been the resting place of the third Italian King Victor Emmanuel III and his wife Elena of Montenegro. Vicoforte is also recommended to visit the chocolate factory of Silvio Bessone. He is considered the best chocolatier in Italy and even travels to Central America himself to supervise the chocolate production there. In his workshop in Vicoforte you can watch him make chocolate or just buy chocolate.