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Casale Monferrato - Palazzo Anna d'Alencon
The province of Alessandria lies in the extreme southeast of Piedmont that has for long been of strategic importance for its connections with Lombardy and Liguria.
The territory mainly consists of hills and valleys traversed by rivers, while the south is dominated by the Ligurian Appennine Mountains.
A multiplicity of landscapes can be discovered in this land: the Monferrato hills, covered by vines and rich in colour, unspoiled nature, dense woods of chestnut, oak and beech.
Many reserves safeguard the provinces varied environment: the Parco Fluviale del Po Tratto Vercellese-Alessandrino that is home to many colonies of birds, , the Riserva Naturale del Torrente Orba and the Parco Naturale delle Capanne di Marcarolo, where the Alpine flora flourishes alongside the Mediterranean scrub. The land is a natural location for wine production but also boasts an important cultural heritage, from Roman remains to the imposing ruins of castles dotted around the countryside.
Ovada, Acqui Terme, Casale Monferrato and Gavi are towns rich in history and art, with monuments from many different epochs.
Many other treasures make any visit here unique and special: from the Acqui Terme spa to the goldsmiths of Valenza now internationally renowned fame. There’s also the Campionissimi of Novi Ligure Museum dedicated to cycling, which was established in memory of two local athletes, Fausto Coppi and Costante Girardengo.
The starting point of any tour should be Alessandria, the provincial capital, rich in artistic heritage, including the famous Cittadella, vast squares and eighteenth century palaces.
There are many religious sites with remarkable artistic value, such as Sacro Monte di Crea, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the Santa Croce complex in Bosco Marengo, the Romanesque abbey of Santa Giustina in Sezzadio, and many churches and shrines dotted around the countryside, such as the evocative parish church of Santa Maria in Viguzzolo.
Roman relics can be found in Libarna, near Serravalle Scrivia and in Acqui Terme, a town renowned through the ages for its art and health spa.
One of the most important sites is Casale Monferrato with its prestigious architecture and churches, including the Duomo, one of the most remarkable Romanesque-Lombard style cathedrals of Piedmont.
A visit should be made to the hills, through vineyards and imposing castles, such as Vignale Monferrato and Camino.
Valenza, a small town built on the banks of Po River is famous for gold and jewellery production. Gavi, a small town situated on the border between Liguria and Padan Plain, is dominated by an imposing castle that once was the fortress of the Republic of Genoa. The Roman remains and artistic monuments of Tortona offer an interesting journey into the past, while Ovada is surrounded by remarkable castles.
The Marengo Museum is dedicated to an historical Napoleonic battle, and it is located in Spinetta Marengo, a district of Alessandria.
Lovers of sport should visit the Campionissimi Museum in Novi Ligure, dedicated to Costante Girardengo and Fausto Coppi, two local cyclists of great repute.
Alessandria provides many opportunities for both active and relaxing holidays in unspoiled countryside.
From Monferrato to Ovada, there are hiking, biking and horse riding trails amidst lush vegetation and pretty hamlets.
There’s a cycle route through Parco Fluviale del Po Tratto Vercellese-Alessandrino and climbers will enjoy the Falesia di Gavi, a wall with climbs for various abilities surrounded by magnificent scenery.
The Acqui Terme is an important spa and a modern health centre, perfect for rejuvenating holidays and for sport. There are modern golf courses designed for professionals and enthusiasts.
For those looking for excitement, extreme sports are available at the Bob & Downhill Park Val Curone and the Adventure Park Val Borbera which is perfect for trekking, canoeing down steep descents or competitive biking.
For a special memento, visit Valenza, which is famous for its jewellery and it also hosts the “Mostra Internazionale di gioielleria e oreficeria” (an international jewellery and goldsmith exhibition) in October.
There are various traditional exhibitions, including the Festa Medievale with its historical procession through Cassine, the Santa Caterina fair and the gastronomy exhibition “Dolci Terre di Novi” both in Novi Ligure, and the polenta festival of Ponti.
The Fiera Nazionale del Tartufo (national truffles fair) in San Sebastiano Curone, the Lachera ball in Rocca Grimalda, and the spectacular historical reenactment of the battle of Marengo battle in Alessandria, with parades and reconstructions of the most important phases of the fighting, should not be missed.
As with the gastronomy throughout Piedmont, the local cuisine is simple and authentic, based on natural products.
Regional dishes are available everywhere, like the “bugnet”, a vegetable sauce used to flavour boiled meats, or the “bagna caoda”, a dressing for vegetables made with oil, onion and anchovies.
Porcini mushrooms stand out among the local specialities, along with the precious truffles from Bormida Valley. Cured meats are a popular delicacy, especially the “filetto baciato” in Aqui Terme and boiled beef salami from Mandrogne.
The tasty “rabaton” is made with ricotta, vegetables, eggs and cheese.
Among the delicious desserts is “krumiri”, typical biscuits from Casale Monferrato, the renowned chocolate of Novi Ligure, chestnut cakes, soft and hard torroni (chocolates), and amaretti (biscuits).
Around Novi Ligure and Ovada the gastronomic influence from Liguria is evident in such specialities as the famous focaccia novese (oven baked bread), similar to Genoa foccaccia, while the biscotti della salute of Ovada are like the Legaccio di Genova biscuits.
It’s also an important wine producing territory, with outstanding wines such as Cortese di Gavi, Dolcetto, Brachetto, Grignolino and Barbera.
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