Segnala Attività
Sitemap
our Friends
about Us
SEARCHING
Newsletter
RSS
aroundASTI
>
VISITING
>
the Castles
Monferrato, Langhe e
Roero: Imagine Yourself a King, or Treat Yourself Like a Queen, in Italy’s Magical Land of Castles
ultimo aggiornamento: 29/07/2010
The first castles date back to medieval times and were built at strategic points or in response to
enemy attacks. From the sixteenth century onwards and during the
Baroque period, as the need for defensive structures waned, they were transformed into delightful
residential buildings, through the work of architects and
artists, and sometimes into venues for
political and diplomatic meetings.
The Royal Italian House of Savoy had its origins in the region of
Piedmont, a relentlessly picturesque place with more hills and lakes per square mile than even Tuscany. Like any good royal family, the Savoy family felt it only fitting that they live in grand and opulent
castles. And so as the family grew, the castles too spread. Today, the Piedmont region is gloriously speckled with the castles of the House of Savoy and other aristocratic families.
Visiting them all: impossible. Creating your own fairy-tale: easy.
Sleep like a queen in a castle that has been turned into an inviting inn. Dine like a prince at
Castello di Rivoli, Castello di Mango, or
Castello dell'enoteca di Canale, just a few of the many castles that have become fine
restaurants. Drink a king’s ransom of some of the region’s finest vintages while touring
Castello di Barolo, Castello di Grinzane Cavour
and many more that have been turned into world-class wineries. Or simply stroll the grounds of any number of castles, drinking in the history of these dazzling monuments to a bygone world. All the families from the most renowned European courts came from far and wide to admire the royal residences. When they returned to their own castles, they were terribly jealous.
The Langhe is under the spell of royal retreats as diverse as the majestic Castle of Grinzane Cavour, a beautiful brick towered fortress from the 13th century, and the
Agenzia of Pollenzo, a neo-gothic palace built in 1833. With its rolling hills, sparkling lakes, majestic mountains and royal roots, Piedmont is the world’s real Magic Kingdom. One visit and fairy tales will never again measure up to the real thing.
www.regione.piemonte.it
Where:
Via Morelli 2
When: Wednesday-Saturday 9.30-12.30, 15.30-18.30, Sunday 15.30-18.30; guided tour Sunday from June to October; 5€ (2009).
Castle
tel. Museo +39.0144.575.55, tel. IAT +30.0144.322.142, www.acquimusei.it
According to several people, the original center of the Castello (Castle) would date back to the Late-Roman period. After having been destroyed by the Huns around 452 A. D., the building was rebuilt during the Middle Ages,
...
Castello dei Marchesi Faà di Bruno
Where:
Via Faà di Bruno
When: not open to the public
Castle
tel. +39.0141.764.124
The Castle, which stands out majestically along the silhouette of the hills, creates a very effective chromatic continuation with the landscape.
...
Where:
P.za Castello 7
When:
Castle
tel. +39.0141.853.126 / 335.597.131.5, alex.bp@inwind.it
Property of the Roero family of Costanza during the 14th century, the castle was renovated at the end of the 17th century.
...
Castello Gancia, ex Scarampi-Crivelli
Where:
Via del Castello 33
When: not open to the public
Castle
Among the hills of Monferrato, on the slopes dominated by the imposing castle, is Canelli. The castle, now privately owned by the Gancia family, has an ancient and important history.
...
Where:
Palazzo Municipale, P.za Castello 2
When: see Open Castle Event
Castle
tel. +39.0141.406.611, www.castellalfero.net
The manor was built during the Middle Ages at a time - towards the end of the 13th century - when the city of Asti was reorganizing its own territory and defining its borders.
...
Torre della Madonna del Castello dei Rivalba
Where:
Frazione Mondonio
When: see Open Castle Event
Tower
tel. +39.011.987.616.5 / 347.718.375.53, www.isignoridirivalba.it
On the peak of the hill that rises alongside the village is the tower that was once part of the castle, destroyed in 1395.
...
Where:
P.za Hope 1
When: From April to October, Tuesday - Sunday 15-19 (Easter Sunday closed), 4€ (2009)
Castle
tel. +39.0141.979.021 / 118, www.museoartiemestieri.it
The building dates back to the 11th-12th century; in one of the halls is a large cistern, which gives the place its name.
...
Where:
P.za V. Veneto (P.za del Municipio)
When: see Open Castle Event
Castle
tel. +39.0141.690.917 / 979.021, www.castellodicortanze.it
Still today, the structure has its original irregular trapezoid design with two small towers located on the south-western side and a major cylindrical tower topped with merlons.
...
Where:
Fraz. Burio, Via Castello 5
When: see Open Castle Event
Castle
(few km South of Costigliole), tel. +41.793.305.171
The castle was built in the XIII century, its shape is typical of the area near Asti.
...
Castello di Costigliole d'Asti
Where:
P.za Vittorio Emanuele II 10
When:
tel. +39.0141.962.202 / 11 / 17 (Municipio),
Castle
www.costigliole.it
Surrounded by a large park, dominates the town. It was built during the 14th and 15th centuries and only later was it restructured to its present Gothic-like form.
...
Where:
When: not open to the public
Castle
frinco.interfree.it
The castle dates back to the 13th century and dominates the village. Its main body, composed of several different parts, has undergone many alterations.
...
Castello Reale di Carlo Felice
Where:
P.za Roma 1
When: From March to Juneand from September to October, every Sunday 10-12 and 15-18; July and August Sunday 10-12 and 16-19, during the weekday on booking; guided tour, 3€ (2009)
Castle
tel. +39.0173.581.03 /588.09, www.comune.govone.cn.it
Once a mediaeval fortress, the castle was reconstructed in the Baroque style to designs by G. Guarini and B. Alfieri.
...
Where:
Piazza del Municipio
When: June to September, Sun 14-19, 4€ (2008)
tel. +39.011.379.760.0, www.fondsrr.org
An 18th century building restored and transformed into an exhibition venue, this is the home of the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation.
...
Where:
Via Alessandro Roero 2
When: on booking, 4€ (2008)
Castle
tel. +39.0173.611.101/346, www.castellodiguarene.com
In the heart of the Roero area, in one of its best preserved towns, is one of the most beautiful manor homes in Piemonte.
...
Castello degli Alfieri di Magliano
Where:
Via Alfieri 4
When: From May to October, Sunday 11.30-12.30 / 15-18, 2€ (2009)
Castle
tel. +39.0173.661.17 / 333.565.231.2, www.comune.maglianoalfieri.cn.it
The structure was built between 1649 and 1680. Of noteworthy interest are the noble chapel and the room with the coats of arms of the Alfieri family done in the 19th century in plaster by stucco artists from Lucania.
...
Where:
P.za Trotelli Musso
When: see Open Castle Event
Castle
tel. +39.0141.856.447, www.nerodistelle.it, www.comune.moasca.at.it
Built in 1351, it was enlarged and embellished by the Secco Suardi family in 1489.
...
Where:
P.za Gani
When: see Open Castle Event
Castle
tel. +39.0141.669.116, www.castello-scarampi.it
A document dating back 1161 mentions a castle at the top of the Bricco di San Giovanni, describing it as a construction with the most modern defences of the time.
...
Where:
P.za Statuto
When: see Open Castle Event
Castle
municipio +39.011.987.470.1, www.comune.moncucco.asti.it
The building, surrounded by a solid wall, is characterized by two towers of notable size.
...
Where:
Via Conte Carlo Calvi / Via Castello
When: 1st and 3rd Tue from May to September, 9-12
Castle
Towards the year 1000, when the surrounding countryside was still woodland, the town of Montemagno was founded.
...
Where:
P.za Umberto I 1
When: On booking
Castle
tel. +39.0141.994.006/ 008 / 368. 335.447.6, www.castello-montiglio.it, 5€ (2008)
This Castle that, from its hill, dominates the town, dates back to the 13th century.
...
Where:
P.za Italia 3
When:
Castle
tel. +39.0141.901.641 / 393.938.853.56, 5€ (2008)
Built around the XI century, it has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries: from a fortress, it became a noble structure, losing its bastions at the beginning of the 18th century as requested by the Counts of Roero.
...
Where:
P.za del Popolo 12
When: From Monday to Friday 9-13, 13.30-16.30; Sunday and Saturday 10-12; 15-19 (2009)
tel. +39.0142.933.243. www.enotecadelmonferrato.it
Tempestuous historical events have left signs on the structure which conserves little of its medieval origins. An elegant staircase leads from the beautiful garden below.
...
Castello Medievale
01/04/2010 30/10/2010
Museo di Arti e Tradizioni Popolari - Castello degli Alfieri di Magliano
18/04/2010 24/10/2010
Castello Reale di Carlo Felice
18/04/2010 24/10/2010
Palazzo Re Rebaudengo
09/05/2010 01/08/2010
Notturni alle Rocche
08/06/2010 10/09/2010
Le Macchine della Meraviglia. Lanterne magiche e film dipinto, 400 anni di cinema
22/07/2010 07/11/2010
Castello di Burio
31/07/2010
Castello di Castelnuovo Calcea
01/08/2010
Castello di Burio
01/08/2010
Castello dei Conti d'Amico e Museo 'l Ciar
08/08/2010
Castello di Castelnuovo Calcea
08/08/2010
Castello di Castelnuovo Calcea
15/08/2010
Torre e Cappella dei Rivalba
15/08/2010
Castello di Castelnuovo Calcea
22/08/2010
Castello di Castelnuovo Calcea
29/08/2010
Monteverde Museum
