Roero and Langhe of Cuneo

<< Piedmont

The hilly area in the east of the Province of Cuneo is a region with a long culinary and wine-making tradition. To the north is the region of Roero, centered around the town of Bra, while the rest of this area is known as the Langhe of Cuneo, featuring the city of Alba. This territory is also famous for its beautiful hills dotted with historic villages.

Alba

Alba is a city in the Province of Cuneo and the most important center in the historical region of the Langhe. The area was initially inhabited by Ligurian tribes, while the current town was founded by the Romans. During the Late Middle Ages, Alba emerged as a free comune and saw the construction of numerous towers, some of which are still standing to this day. After being contested for centuries between local powers, the city became a possession of the House of Savoy in 1631. Alba was the capital of its own short-lived republic twice, firstly during the Napoleonic Wars, and again during World War II as one of many small free partisan states. Alba is now famous for its food and wine industry, also hosting the headquarters of Ferrero, one of the largest producers of chocolate and confectionery in the world.

Alba Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Lorenzo

The Alba Cathedral (Duomo di Alba) is the main religious building of Alba, located in the center of the city. The church was originally erected in Romanesque style in the Late Middle Ages, and later reworked several times, with the addition of Gothic elements and a 19th-century facade. The adorned interior houses various artworks and a beautiful wood-carved chorus made in 1512. A small museum on the history of the cathedral is located underneath the church.

Towers of Alba

During the Late Middle Ages many towers were erected in Alba, which became known as the “city with a hundred towers”. Most of these structures have been demolished but a few have survived to this day, such as Torre Sineo, Torre Astesiano and Torre Bonino, all located around the main square of the city.

Federico Eusebio Civic Museum of Archaeology and Natural Sciences

The Federico Eusebio Civic Museum of Archaeology and Natural Sciences (Museo Civico Archeologico e di Scienze Naturali Federico Eusebio) is a museum in Alba dedicated to local history and archaeology hosting numerous findings from the region of Langhe. Part of the museum is focused on geology, zoology, and botanics.

Church of San Domenico

The Church of San Domenico is a Romanesque and Gothic church erected in Alba during the Late Middle Ages. It features a beautifully decorated facade and its interiors hosts various frescoes and artworks.

Bra

Bra is a city in the Province of Cuneo located at the foot of the hills in the historical region of Roero. The area near the town was the site of the ancient Roman city of Pollentia (now Pollenzo), which was gradually abandoned during the Middle Ages in favor of Bra. Now Bra is the largest city in Roero and it is famous for its food industry.

Pollenzo Castle

Pollenzo is a hamlet near Bra and the site of the ancient Roman city of Pollentia. During the Late Middle Ages, a fort was erected here, and in the 19th century it was completely transformed into the modern Pollenzo Castle. The new castle was rebuilt in Gothic Revival style with many rich decorations, and it became one of the residences of the House of Savoy, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Near the castle the new Church of San Vittore was built in the same style, and it also houses a few artworks.

Piazza Caduti per la Libertà

Piazza Caduti per la Libertà is the main square in Bra, despite its modest size. The plaza is surrounded by some historic buildings, such as the Baroque Church of Sant’Andrea, erected in the 17th century and the decorated Palazzo Comunale, the city hall. Palazzo Mathis is in front of Palazzo Comunale and it hosts temporary exhibitions, while the nearby Palazzo Traversa, located just outside the square, features a small museum. A statue of Saint Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, who was born in Bra, adorns the center of the square.

La Zizzola

La Zizzola is a decorated 19th-century residence located on the hill overlooking Bra. Now used for cultural events, the villa is considered a symbol of the city and, due to its position, it offers a great view over the surrounding area.

Cherasco

Cherasco is a town located just south of Bra in the Province of Cuneo. It was founded in 1243 and many local powers fought for control over the city, which was ultimately annexed by the Duchy of Savoy. In 1796, an armistice between France and the Kingdom of Sardinia was signed in Cherasco.

Via Vittorio Emanuele II

Via Vittorio Emanuele II is the main street in Cherasco, running north to south and crossing the entire town. The road is closed by the decorated Arco del Belvedere and the adjacent Church of Sant’Agostino to the north, and Arco di Porta Narzole to the south, and it hosts many of the city’s attractions. Among these are the medieval Civic Tower and the historic Palazzo Salmatoris.

Govone

Govone is a small town in the Province of Cuneo, located halfway between Alba and Asti. The village is best known for its impressive castle.

Govone Castle

The Govone Castle is a fortified palace located on a hill dominating over Govone. Originally a medieval fortress, it was turned into a noble residence in the 17th century and it later became one of the residences of the Savoy family. The castle hosts several pieces of art and decorations in its many frescoed halls, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Grinzane Cavour

Grinzane Cavour is a small town located near Alba in the Province of Cuneo. The village takes part of its name from Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, which was mayor of the town between 1832 and 1849.

Grinzane Cavour Castle

The Grinzane Cavour Castle was built in the Late Middle Ages and it was reworked a few times. During the 19th century, it hosted the statesman Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour during its time as mayor of the town. The castle features some decorated halls and hosts a museum on local history and food production.

La Morra

La Morra is a small town located on top of a hill among the historical region of Langhe, in the Province of Cuneo. It is known for wine prodcution and for its panoramic view over the surrounding hills.

Cappella del Barolo

Also known as: Cappella delle Brunate

Cappella del Barolo is a tiny religious building erected in 1914 in the countryside near La Morra and never consecrated. After being abandoned it was restored in 1999 by artists Sol LeWitt and David Tremlett, and painted with vivid colors. Because of its peculiar appearance, it is now a tourist spot.

Barolo

Barolo is a tiny town located among the hills of Langhe in the Province of Cuneo. The village is at the center of an important wine-production area, and it gives its name to the Barolo wine.

Barolo Castle

The Barolo Castle is a fortified palace originally erected in the Middle Ages in Barolo, and later reworked in the 19th and 20th century. The castle now hosts a series of local museums, most notably one dedicated to the traditional production of the famous local wine.

Bastia Mondovì

Bastia Mondovì is a small town located near Mondovì in the Province of Cuneo. The village has medieval origins and since the Late Middle Ages its history has been linked to Mondovì.

Church of San Fiorenzo

The Church of San Fiorenzo is a small religious building erected near Bastia Mondovì in the Late Middle Ages. While it may seem just an unassuming tiny church, its interiors host an impressive series of incredibly well preserved ancient Gothic frescoes.