Olivola, Moleto and Cella Monte: small jewels of Monferrato Casalese

One-day itinerary in Casale Monferraro written by our preferred traveler Manuela Vullo.

Basso Monferrato. If you are a fan of lesser-known itineraries, hidden treasures landscapes still intact and enjoy Olivola, and you will discover its surroundings at least two stages with the same amenities: Moleto and Cella Monte.

Olivola is a small town with little more than 100 in, a handful of houses in the open position and panoramic, without architectural eyesores to deface the landscape.

It is made entirely from Tuff, typical material, with a pleasant chromatic uniformity. The land around the main square, dominated by the late-Romanesque church of San Pietro Apostolo, full brick mixed blocks of local limestone. On the edge of town, on a small hill from where you can enjoy a splendid view of the Monferrato, stands the Church of San Pietro, of Romanesque origin and then restored. The Bell Tower was probably a watchtower which was later built the Church.

A stop in the square at the tables of Cafe wine bar "Cà Nostra" (You can also have lunch) is a small-great pleasure: landscape, la quiete, the light, the care of a carefully preserved old town. Inside the room there is a picture with the inscription "Olivola is not New York, but it is the art of living with poetry ", that sums up well the spirit of this village.

Moving to the Cella Monte, Don't miss a stop at Moleto, a group of houses set on a plateau with a breathtaking view. The village is very old, It is said of Saracen origin; the houses, all in traditional Tuff stones extracted in the quarry not far, overlooking the only road and are distinguished by the extremely refined and elegant appearance. In the gardens there are Palm trees and trees, the mild climate, and the surrounding hills are planted with vines. Moleto is classic Italian village icon that fascinates tourists with its architecture, the perfection of the landscape and the atmosphere. With the renovation of some farms is a project born of Congress tourism and resorts, and during our visit we met many foreign cars.

The road leads to the end of the country where, in a slope in a panoramic position, isolated, You can find the Romanesque church of San Michele, before the year 1000. It's’ built in blocks of Tuff with gabled facade, almost unbelievable and discover that this is not its original location. It was disassembled and moved here in 1968 the original site was threatened by mining the quarry. The surrounding lawn is perfect for a relaxing break or for a picnic, though often a bit crowded, and hosts the Bar Closed, famous for jazz concerts calendar of excellent quality.

We go a few kilometres up to Cella Monte, the stone country cantons in a dominant position on a hill. The Center is characterized by palaces and stately homes, all ritrutturazioni recently that enhance the structure of the stone facades. The stone from cantons, commonly known as tufa, is a marl-calcareous sandstone or limestone Silicon-compact and easy to work, that unites the traditional architecture of the area and is recognized as the symbol.

To Cellamonte theEcomuseo della Pietra from Cantons, , the diffused Museum that aims to recover and valorise the stone from cantons and the Monferrato countryside in its building components, Agriculture and forestry, including the characteristic infernot, the subterranean Chambers dug into the stone under the houses and courtyards, bereft of light and natural ventilation and for wineries. They were surveyed 44 and represent masterpieces of peasant architecture, often with a certain artistic value.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Route type: auto, bike, moto

Recommended seasons: all. We tried to March and autumn, with the spectacular colours of the vineyards.

Main distances by Cella Monte: Asti 35 km, Alexandria 35 km, Casale 10 km, Turin 85 km.

How to get to Monte Cell drive:

From Milan: Take the motorway A4 ’, follow signs for the A26 ’, continue on the ’ motorway A26 exit Casale Monferrato Sud, the municipality of Casale Monferrato, continue on SS 457, pass the hamlet of Chiabotto, take the SP 38 and follow the signs to Rosignano Monferrato, Cella Monte.

By ALEXANDRIA: Take the SS 10, continue to the SP 50, overcome common Quargnento, continue to the SP 50, pass the hamlet Gardens Resort, continue on the SP 46 and follow to Rosignano Monferrato

From Turin: with A4 motorway (TORINO-MILANO) in the direction of Milan, then A26 (GRAVELLONA Toce-GENOVA Voltri) towards ALEXANDRIA / GENOA – CASALE SUD exit. the municipality of Casale Monferrato, continue on SS 457, pass the hamlet of Chiabotto, take the SP 38 and follow the signs to Rosignano Monferrato, Cella Monte.

From ASTI: State Road 457 up to Moncalvo; follow the detour to Grazzano Badoglio, Ottiglio. From Ottiglio take the SP 42 reaching Olivola and then continues for Moleto and Cella Monte.