Monferrato e Langhe
Moncalvo, Casale Monferrato, Asti, Alba and Bra are the natural capitals of this important part of Piedmont. In this land of charming relais comes the farm holiday Cascina Spinerola in the heart of the Monferrato: the ideal place for holidays in Piedmont.
Cascina Spinerola is an excellent accommodation for anyone is looking for a relaxing holiday in a charme hotel in the Monferrato and in the Langhe.
Moncalvo, the smallest city in Italy, is of Roman origin and was the property of the Church of Asti, then the Graffagni family, the Marquis of Monferrato (who made it its Capital City), the Marquis of Saluzzo (1306) and back to the Paleologi of Monferrato (1309). The City suffered foreign occupations and was the last domain of the Gonzaga of Mantua, who gave it in fief to Galeazzo of Canossa in 1604, to Rolando Natta in 1619, to Filiberto, Marquis of Ceva in 1671. In 1691 it was sacked by a part of the imperial troops headed by Eugenio of Savoy. It then became property of the Savoy family in 1704. In August of 1774 Vittorio Amedeo III gave it City status, confirming the title already granted by the Duke of Mantua Ferdinando Carlo Gonzaga in March 1705. A dynamic City, it is referred to as the Capital of white truffles in the Monferrato.
Casale Monferrato features beautiful hills where many winegrowing farms have similar architectural features, because of the tufo cut into blocks to build dwellings. The same tufo can be found in the cellars dug under the farms. And of course it would be improbable for there not to be a temple to Bacchus, the Regional Wine Collection, a building dating back to the 17th Century in the centre of Vignale Monferrato, which also boasts a beautiful church and a castle.
Asti, with its ancient history, at the centre of its province which includes a section of the low Tanaro Valley, the western section of the Basso Monferrato, and nearly all the Alto Monferrato and a strip of the Langhe. This area is mainly hilly.
Alba is the Langhe capital, it is characterised by a medieval structure and wonderful landscapes dotted with castles and towers hidden amongst the green hills, from Barbaresco to Cortemilia, from Serralunga to Mango, from Grinzane Cavour to Neive.
Bra with its history, its culture and traditions looking onto the Roero, with its alternating copses and vineyards. Once summer is over autumn is the most important season: the magical colours and unique scents imbue the surrounding panorama with charm. This is a rich land, it offers its grapes to the masters of drink, and it nourishes and nurtures a treasure: truffles. A land between castles and keeps, whose stones can tell very old stories. People here have been able to marry development with nature, and the local economy depends on this in large part. This is a land on human scale, offering a full range of art, traditions and history, but also flavours and tastes of an excellent gastronomy and the thousand aromas of its wines. And tradition has become tourism.
Of course, these words aren't enough to give you a full idea of these wonderful areas: spending a short holiday in Cascina Spinerola could be one of the most wonderful experiences of your life. Don’t miss out!
