Monferrato: the region of truffle and castles

It crosses three provinces (Asti, Alessandria and Cuneo) and is rich in artistical and gastronomical treasures. Monferrato is one of the most enchanting areas of Piedmont.

This region is beautiful and complex, it is crossed by the Tanaro river but its border lines are historical and commercial rather than geographical. A dainty itinerary through the best Italian wines and dishes. Monferrato includes the Southern hilly part of Piedmont and is competing with Langhe and Roero to gain the title of main oengastronomic area.

Moncalvo has Roman origins. It went through many domains and properties until it came under the estate of Gonzaga from Mantova. You should visit the Town Hall, derived from a former Ursulines convent, the XVII century Pozzo Palace, Casa Lanfrancone with rests of the Gothic XIII century facade, the Romanic church of San Pietro in Vincoli (also said "the Country Church") with a III century Roman tablet on the outside wall, and the rests of the Medieval Castle, residence of Monferrato marquises.

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Piazza del Campo del palio is its larger square, in September in concurrence with the Wine Feast it takes place the yearly horse ride. Asti is the centre of the most renowned wine region in Italy and its name is connected with its sweet "spumante". It is a calm and noble town with Medieval towers, elegant churches and warm red roofs. Not far opens the triangular Alfieri Square, with a statue of the famous poet and playwright Vittorio Alfieri.

We go on to Casale Monferrato, former chief town of this area. It is called "the Baroque town" because of the many palaces and churches of various periods all boasting valuable interiors. The Romanic Cathedral (XII and XIII centuries) is one of the most ancient of the town and of the Alessandria province and its foundation is ascribed to the King Liutprando.

The most spectacular aspect of Monferrato is the moltitude of castles: its strategic position and the continuous feudal combats imposed to build powerful defensive structures. From the very high quadrangular tower you may enjoy a wide view on Monferrato, on the Po valley and on the Alps. Many of them raise around Casale, they are mainly private and most of all were built about the XI and XII centuries. The Camino castle is the most beautiful and imposing of the region: it was raised about the year 1000 to protect the Po and Stura plains.

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The most esteemed kind is the white truffle (Tuber Magnatum Pico), picked up between Mid-October and the end of Winter, it prospers in the hills of Monferrato and has its capital in Murisengo. But Monferrato is in rhyme with good cooking, starting with its more typical product, the truffle, veritable diamond of cuisine: well known since faraway times and always present on the most refined tables.

In Monferrato dishes are prepared with "poor" ingrediets but offer the gourmet delicious flavors: "bagnet" is a tasty green sauce accompanying boiled meat, "bagna cauda" is a luscious gravy of oil, garlic and anchovies accompanying raw vegetables, "paniscia" and "cisrà" are cooked with rice and chickpeas. The typical wines are: Grignolino, Freisa, Barbera, Moscato, Malvasia and Brachetto.

Viaggio nel Monferrato: la regione del tartufo e dei castelli

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