Art and history: a cultural journey to do in Piedmont, to discover ancient churches, gastronomy and traditions
The Piedmont countryside is rich in ancient archaeological sites that must be enhanced. A few weeks ago, visiting the abbey of Santa Maria di Vezzolano, we discovered a beautiful circuit of Romanesque churches and abbeys scattered throughout 17 Piedmontese municipalities, between the provinces of Turin and Asti.
These municipalities have agreements with each other and have created, in collaboration with the In Collina Association, Tourism in the heart of Piedmont, which aims to enhance the heritage of the Romanesque churches between Po and Monferrato.
The queen of all Piedmontese Romanesque churches and abbeys remains Santa Maria di Vezzolano, an example of Romanesque art of rare beauty, rich in astronomical symbolism.
"On the basis of a series of studies, the lunistice occurred on 30 August 1168 and the architectural project of the church of Santa Maria di Vezzolano, of Augustinian foundation, was based on this particular axis of" lunar "orientation: it was St. Augustine who theorized the role of the Moon as a Marian symbol of the church . From The Moon, the Virgin and medieval astronomy Permanent exhibition in Santa Maria di Vezzolano.
By following the map dedicated to the Romanesque network of hills, it is possible to build a food and wine itinerary in the area, to discover all that is good between the provinces of Turin and Asti.
Most of the sites are open and can be visited throughout the year.
We recommend checking opening and actual capacity by calling the numbers on the site. Admissions are limited and regulated by the Covid-19 protocol.
Complete list on Tourism in the Hills
17 municipalities for 19 between churches and abbeys
Albugnano (abbey of Santa Maria di Vezzolano and San Pietro, on request, at the cemetery of Albugnano)
Andezeno (San Giorgio, at the Andezeno cemetery, opening on request)
Aramengo (San Giorgio, Borgata Masio, opening on request)
Berzano di San Pietro (San Giovanni Battista, Valle Ochera locality, opening on request)
Brusasco (via G. Mazzini 59, San Pietro opening on request)
Buttigliera d’Asti (San Martino, near the cemetery, opening on request)
Casalborgone (San Siro, Internal Mongallo Road, opening on request)
Castelnuovo Don Bosco (Sant’Eusebio, S.P.16, opening on request))
Cavagnolo (abbey of Santa Fede, via Santa Fede 92, open every day 8-20)
Cerreto (Sant’Andrea di Casaglio, Borgata Casaglio, open on request and every Saturday and Sunday)
Cocconato (Madonna della Neve, Provincial Road 20, opening on request)
Cortazzone (San Secondo, Mongiglietto locality, open on request and every Saturday and Sunday 10 am-6pm)
Marentino (Santa Maria, at the cemetery, opening on request)
Mombello di Torino (San Lorenzo, Strada Comunale di Sant’Anna, opening on request)
Montafia (San Martino and San Giorgio in the Bagnasco hamlet, near the cemetery, always open)
Montiglio Monferrato (San Lorenzo and Santi Sebastiano and Fabiano, at the cemetery, opening on request)
Tonengo (San Michele, San Michele, opening on request)
Some local addresses: food, wine and B&B
An itinerary between wine and good food through the hills of Albugnano and Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Berzano San Pietro. If you are near Aramengo to visit the church of San Giorgio, we recommend a stop at La Corte del Barbio Osteria and B&B which is also a farm, I Fiordalisi, and produces organic preserves and jams. In Cocconato (AT) a stop atCascina Rosengana farmhouse it would be an excellent idea: it offers interesting itineraries in the area between art, gastronomy and wine tasting. The farmhouse is
also Demeter certified biodynamic farm: wines, nuts, fruit and vegetables, Maciot. In Montiglio (AT) do not miss a lunch at the Locanda Lago di Codana: traditional cuisine and local products (meat, cheeses, vegetables). If you are a lover of truffles, a stop at I Tre Colli, in Montechiaro d’Asti is a must
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