Province of Alessandria

Ancient towns, fortresses and natural landscapes--the province of Alessandria is a constant discovery. Among the many villages, one of the most spectacular is Acqui Terme, in the Alto Monferrato area, famous since Roman times for its hot springs. In the center of the Piazza dellaBollente is the "Bollente," a spring from which thermal water gushes out at 75°C. The town, however, in addition to modern spas, is also known for its archaeological remains, such as those of the Roman Theater, and fascinating medieval monuments, such as the Castle, the Civic Clock Tower, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

Also part of Alto Monferrato, which extends into the southernmost part of the province, are Novi Ligure, rich in aristocratic palaces and home to the Museo dei Campionissimi, dedicated to bicycle racing champions Fausto Coppi and Costante Girardengo and to the history of cycling, nearby Pozzolo Formigaro, with its castle, and the monumental area of the Benedicta, a symbol of the Alessandrian and Italian Resistancebut of which little remains following an attack by Nazi-Fascists in April 1944.

A place with a unique flavor is also the village of Gavi, with its cobblestone streets and quaint atmosphere. The village is most famous for its imposing fort, a medieval military construction that dominates the valley above the town and offers extraordinary views. The Fort of Gavi has a particularly fascinating structure, with a mighty and severe appearance, and today it is a museum that can be visited. The entire Gavi area, moreover, is renowned for its Gavi DOCG white wine, with a fresh aroma, which you can taste in one of the many local wineries.

It is also worth visiting Rocca Grimalda and its castle, which is not only a wedding venue, but also offers the opportunity to stroll through its 18th-century park, which includes Italianate, romantic, and medieval gardens, as well as a forest on the fortress.

The heart of Basso Monferrato, on the other hand, is Casale Monferrato. Among the main attractions is the opulent Synagogue, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, with Baroque interiors decorated in the Jewish-Sephardic style. Casale is also home to the majestic Romanesque cathedral of Sant'Evasio, with its two-tone facade, and to the striking Castello dei Paleologi, a former military fortress and now a venue for cultural events and exhibitions.

In this part of Monferrato, and a few dozen kilometers from the provincial capital, there are many other very beautiful villages that bear "Monferrato" in their names, such as San Salvatore Monferrato and Vignale Monferrato.

Not to be missed is the Castle of Gabiano, where wine is produced and you can eat, but also discover its beautiful park with natural labyrinth.

Perched on one of the highest hills of Monferrato, near Serralunga di Crea, there is an important place for the province of Alessandra: it is the Sacro Monte di Crea, a splendid sanctuary that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003.Because the sanctuary is located within a protected nature reserve, you can explore the surroundings through a nature and spiritual trail among 23 chapels, 5 hermitages and breathtaking views of the wine-growing landscape, the surrounding hills and the Alps in the distance.

Even outside Monferrato, the province of Alessandria offers fascinating villages rich in history. Volpedo, for example, retains its 19th-century charm and offers an itinerary between art and landscape linked to the painter Pellizza da Volpedo, with his atelier that can be visited and reproductions of the works in their original locations. San Sebastiano Curone, on the other hand, enchants with its narrow cobblestone streets, tall historic houses and carved stone portals.

Alexandria, capital of the province of the same name, is also a rich city, all to be discovered. One of its landmarks is the Cittadella, a star-shaped fortress built in the 18th century at the behest of the Savoy family. Considered a masterpiece of military engineering, the Citadel is among the best-preserved fortifications in Europe and today hosts events, exhibitions and scenic historical re-enactments.

Finally, Alexandria also offers something for those who like to stroll and experience the historic center on a day-to-day basis: for the former, the Tanaro River course creates a green area close to the historic center, full of paths and glimpses of the river, ideal for relaxing. For the latter, on the other hand, there is all the charm of the liveliness of historic stores, wine bars and trattorias; visitors can stop to enjoy typical Piedmontese dishes, bagna cauda or "bagnetto verde," a sauce made with parsley, garlic, anchovies and oil.

Almost all areas of the province of Alessandria lend themselves to outdoor activities: both in the northern part, along the course of the Po, and in the south, in Alto Monferrato or the Tortonese hills.

North of Alessandria, for example, there is the Strada di Napoleone (Napoleon's Road), which from Rivarone, on the banks of the Tanaro River, leads to San Salvatore Monferrato; it is an itinerary that is also suitable for mountain biking and which, among poplar groves and cultivated fields, offers splendid panoramic views of the hills.

Moving into Alto Monferrato, here are two pleasant hikes: the Sentiero delle Chiese Campestri, a long loop that, as the name implies, touches on several small country churches; and the Sentiero di Bistagno, another loop crosses vineyards, fields, and deciduous woods to penetrate into the hills.

Near the border with the province of Asti, on the other hand, you can walk the loop that, from the Tanaro River, allows you to explore the hills surrounding the village of Masio.

For avid walkers, there are also many hiking trails in stages through the province of Alessandria and Monferrato. For example:

• the South Piedmont Trail, over two hundred kilometers long, which in nineteen stages crosses two nature parks, a nature reserve, seven sites of the "Natura 2000" network and an ecological corridor. Stage twelve, in particular, leads from Capanne Marcarolo to Belforte Monferrato;
• Trail 200, an itinerary of about one hundred kilometers that, in eleven stages, unites unspoiled territories tracing the contours of the Borbera and Spinti valleys. In particular, in the province of Alessandria concerns stage number three, which goes from Molo Borbera to Forcella Sud Monte Barillaro;
• the Via del Sale, about ninety kilometers long, divided into four stages, between Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna and Liguria. The itinerary follows the route of the ancient salt transport, starting in Varzi, near Pavia, and ending in beautiful Portofino.

It would be really difficult to summarize in one paragraph the huge number of practicable bicycle routes in the province of Alexandria. We have chosen four of them because of their beauty and popularity:

• the ring of Aqui Terme, which, in addition to the beautiful village from which it takes its name, explores the towns of Montabone, Castel Boglione, Castel Rocchero and Rocchetta Palafea, with the backdrop of the beautiful hills of Monferrato;
• the Ring of the Sweet Lands between Gavi and Dolcetto, starting and ending in Novi Ligure, exploring the expanses of Dolcetto vineyards, in the Ovada area, and Gavi white wine, on clay and reddish soils;
• the Route 45 of the Monferrato, a route of about twenty-five kilometers that is spread over four loops, and that owes its name to the 45th parallel North, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole, which intersects the route at no less than six points;
• the Libarna and Alto Monferrato route, which leads from the archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Libarna to the villages of Gavi, with its famous fort, and Voltaggio, with its Ligurian atmosphere.