|
|
|
This area produces Mostarda d'uva with the must of fine wines, hazelnuts and autumnal fruRT. Now you reach Capanne di Marcarolo Park, where you can still see the "abegui" which are constructions for drying chestnuts.At Voltaggio it is possible to see the picture-gallery in the Capuchin convent. At Gavi it is worthwhile tasting the "amaretti" and "Gavi canestrelli" and visiting the Fortress. Going through the hills with the Gavi vineyards you reach Novi Ligure, where the particular forest treasures of chestnuts and hazelnuts are blended with chocolate and nougat. As you walk among the cake shops you can also admire the painted palaces and the Maddalena oratory. Worthy of a visit is the Museo dei Campionissimi. You then go up the Borbera valley where you find the Val Borbera chestnuts, a local variety on which the economy of the area has been based for many years. The museum of peasant culture at Carrega Ligure shows work implements and details of everyday life. Even though chestnuts and mushrooms are typical products of the valley, here also are produced œMela Carla della Val Borbera" apples, "Fagiolane" beans and "Quarantina" potatoes. You pass through Val Curone, among ancient mansions, towers and castles, to reach Dernice.
The province's main town, Alessandria, is noted for production of high quality cakes and pastries and in November for the Fair of San Baudolino, which has the truffle as main protagonist. Worth visiting is the church of Santa Maria di Castello and the cycle of frescoes stanze di Artˆ. Nearby we can find Bergamasco, one of the main centers for truffle hunting in the province; Oviglio, with its castle; Quargnento, with the basilica of San Dalmazzo; Valenza, with numerous goldsmiths; Altavilla Monferrato, with the Grappa Museum and the Tramways Museum; Vignale Monferrato, with Callori Palace, location of the regional wine cellars. In July there is the internation-al festival œVignaledanza.
You carry on to Casale Monferrato, which
is famous world-wide for hand-made production of "Krumiri", biscuits, with their
traditional handle-bar form. Here you can visit the
Duomo,
Synagogue,
Castello dei Paleologi,
Bistolfi Gallery of Casts. You then head on for the Casale Monferrato area
where excellent truffles are found in nearly all the villages, particularly at
Cella Monte, Odalengo Piccolo, Serralunga di Crea, and Murisengo. Each of these
villages celebrates the truffle with a fair, particularly at Murisengo, with the
regional fair œTrifola dÆOr. In this area it is worth visiting the nature park
and Sacro Monte di Crea; the castles of
Camino,
Gabiano, San Giorgio and
Cereseto; the
castle and parish church of Murisengo; the villa-castle Belvedere di
Villadeati.From Serralunga di Crea you proceed for Moncalvo.
|
