Itineraries in Montechiaro and nearby.

Cossombrato: XIVth - century castle, fief of Peletta and of Asinary families.

Montechiaro: Within the town, you will find the 12thC. civic tower presiding over the busy and charming piazza. Less than a kilometer away, in the open hills stands the tiny 11th C. Romanesque church dedicated to Saints Nazario and Celso-one of the most important monuments of Asti county. In September, the villagers of Montechiaro take part in the traditonal Old Farmer's Parade and the "Grand Sagra" gastronomic fair. They sponsor a horse in the magnificent Palio of Asti (3rd Sunday of September)-and take part in the evocative "medievel" procession before the race. Early November it is the site of an important regional Truffle Fair.

Piea: Several kilometers along the state road from the Ghiro, this village boasts a well restored 18thC. castle surrounded by its private park

Cortanze: A few kilometers away is dominated by an imposing 14thC. quadrangular castle, one of the best preserved in the province.

Scandeluzza: In this tiny borgo, you can find a 13thC. castle and two Romanesque churches: dedicated to St. Sebastiano and St.Emiliano

Colcavagno: Very near Montechiaro, this tiny hilltop village is noted for its castle-and for its wonderful views.

Montiglio: Is a lively town which hosts gastronomic festivals and a truffle fair. Montiglio’s castle, rebuilt in the 15thC. is home to  masterpieces of Romanic-Gothic arts, including the St. Andrea’s chapel and an important cycle of religious frescoes from the 14thC. In Montiglio’s cemetary you can see the Romanesque church of St. Lorenzo (12thC.)

Cocconato: At 491mts above sea level Cocconato, commands exquisite views over the region. It has been a popular resort for centuries. Of particular note are the gothic town hall, and the 10th C. castle tower.

Tonengo:At the northern confines of the province, with the charming Romanesque church of St. Michele (12thC).

Aramengo: In a panoramic position, it is the home of the world renowned Nicola Restoration laboratory.

Berzano S. Pietro: On the county's northern border, one can visit the 12thC. church dedicated to St. Giovanni

Moncucco Torinese: worth visiting to see the 12thC. castle-and a stop in the local wine shop

Castelnuovo Don Bosco: A large town with a historic center, and the remains of a medievel castle. Castelnuovo is better known as the birthplace of internationally revered Don  Bosco, and seat of the modern sanctuary dedicated to him and of the Salesian Missionary Museum (information number 011-9876976)

Mondonio: XIIth-century castle.

Cerreto d'Asti: Outside the village, on the way to Passarano you will find the lovely Romanesque chapel to St. Andrea.

Buttiglera: The baroque church of St.Michele contains paintings by Moncalvo—and the Romanesque St. Martino chapel(12thC.) has a wonderful frescoed 13thC. apse.

Piovà Massaia: village situated on a hill dominated by the Baroque parish church; Romanesque church of San Martino di Castelvero (XIIth century) unfortunately in ruin.

Passerano: Is a very suggestive village graced with a 11thC. castle (private) and a panoramic footpath.

Driving back to Asti Soglio, Camerano Casasco, Settime, Pino d'Asti, Mondonio all have castles to admire, and in Cinaglio there is an interesting Museum of Plaster with over 300 masterworks of ancient and modern sculpture...