ALBA – Center of Your Langhe Trips
Considered the heart, the capital, of the Langhe. sA town to walk around; on its main streets excellent shops along with trattorias, wineries, bars, and bakeries. All with the common denominator of good food and great wine! Alba, a very welcoming medieval city, is famous for truffles but also for Nutella (yes, it was born here!).
On a Saturday morning, the market fills the streets of the center. You will find counters with quality and Chinese products, but you will spend a cheerfully confused morning! Some advice for purchases: St. John’s Square with the land market and the New Market Square, you will find the farmers’ market (even with the sale of chicks to then have fresh eggs at home)
Let’s start with Via Maestra.
Via Maestra, called Via Vittorio Emanuele, will take you from Piazza del Duomo (Risorgimento Square) to Piazza Savona (really, it is Piazza Michele Ferrero!). Here we decide the names of the streets according to an unknown logic!
In Via Maestra, you will find the Vincafè, the extraordinary ice creams of Sacchero, and the gastronomy Ratti, a great buying point for truffles!
Then Alba is to be turned, even with his nose up, to see his old palaces and churches: The Town Hall, the Cathedral, San Domenico, and the Eusebio Museum. And then its many more towers!
Alba is livable all year round, but some moments make it unique: The Wine Fair at the end of April (VINUM) and the now international Truffle Fair in October and November. I’m talking about this in the chapter on Events shortly.
Barolo
Barolo: The trips to the Langhe can not forget this small town, famous worldwide for the eponymous wine brand D.O.C.G. produced there.
Barolo is nestled in the hills of the Piedmont Langhe. Rows are the setting for this beautiful country. And the wines produced in the cellars of Barolo smell the air around beautiful walks. The village has medieval origins and is worth the visit.
Don’t miss the “corkscrew Museum” and the WiMU (Wine Museum, dedicated to wine culture).
The W.I.M.U. is inside the Castle of the Fallers. The castle is, without a doubt, of great historical interest and dominates the small town. The Marquis Falletti owners, an influential family that, in feudal times, acquired the castle of Barolo from the municipality of Alba and came to control a substantial slice of Piedmontese territories.
From them comes the wine that made the country famous: Barolo!
Over the years, Barolo has also become the venue for a unique event: Collisions. I speak about it in the events chapter because it deserves a few words dedicated.
CASTIGLIONE FALLETTO
It dominates the village and is its symbol: Castiglione Falletto Castle, one of the oldest in the area, dates back to the 11th century or perhaps even earlier.
There are reports written, for the first time, in 1001. Let’s say he saw so much history passing by! It was built by Bertoldo Falletti. Over time it has undergone many modifications and renovations until it arrives at the imposing current building: three round towers and then a large tower. In addition to the castle and its small old town, you will find some great restaurants, the wine shop where you can enjoy some wine, and lots of views to photograph!
THE MORRA
On top of a hill so dominate the Po Valley, you will find La Morra and its Belvedere. The name comes from Murra, who in the Middle Ages identified the cattle enclosure! If I consider what she’s become today, I’d say she’s come a long way. Also, in this municipality, there was the presence of the Falletti family. In the city regulation, around 1400, we find for the first time mention of the Nebbiolo grape.
Today the town is lively and much loved by tourists, mostly foreigners. You find many for a walk, sitting in the main street sipping a glass of wine, or enjoying an ice cream … or Barolo!
One event that sees La Morra overrun with tourists is the Mangialonga.
About 2000 people flock to the village and the surrounding vineyards for a walk with the primary purpose of itinerant lunch! Finland, Sweden, Norway, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and others are among the participants.
The reason for pride and the “postcard of the Langhe” is the Chapel of Barolo. In the summer of 1999, two artists, the American Sol LeWitt and the Englishman David Tremlett, worked to interpret the Chapel of the Holy Madonna of Graces uniquely. The Ceretto family had assigned the assignment. The work has become an almost obligatory stop for those who take a walk or bike ride on these hills. It’s really to be seen!
One of the Langhe symbols is Pictured: The cedar of Lebanon wedding gift. My Langhe trips often pass through here!
Monforte
Monforte d’Alba is the last country in the Langa del Barolo. This small town also sees its origins in Roman times. His castle was walled, Mons Fortis, where his name came from. Today the court is the private residence of the Marquis Scarampi, a house built on the old castle around 1700.
The village is all ups and downs and is the departure of numerous paths between vineyards and beautiful natural balconies. Just outside Monforte is the St. Stephen’s Cross Chapel. Built in the 12th century, it was rebuilt around 1730. There are still frescoes and figures in the interior.
The town is trendy, especially in summer and autumn when tourists and Jazz fans mix! In the summer, Monforte is home to a viral Monforte Jazz event where top-notch international artists perform. Many performances end with a taste of a great glass of wine to fully share the wonders of this place.
Novello
This municipality also has its castle. And its houses stretch out on the hill right towards the court. Novello’s story is undoubtedly pre-1100 but is told in history around that date. It was a place appreciated because it was defensible.
To visit it, as in the other municipalities of the Langhe, it is good to walk. You see the entrance door of medieval origin, and you notice the Clock Tower.
Novello is home to a particular story, the story of a forgotten and abandoned vine, the Nascetta, which has now become the wine of Novello. If you arrive in Novello, don’t miss it! The trips in the Langhe, so often, end up being trips to its magnificent wines and vineyards!
Roddi
It is located in a scenic location a stone’s throw from Alba. It is a medieval village to which you arrive with a circular road.
This country is in the heart of the lands of Barolo and has made great strides to become welcoming to tourism.
Many wise renovations have helped to make Pleasant and Welcoming Roddi, who will surprise you with his Way of Poetry. The road to the castle is decorated with panels and decorations with short poems. Go it!
Verduno
It is located in a beautiful location. Between Roddi and La Morra is also a municipality in the Barolo area.
It has a beautiful Belvedere and of course also the castle.
The country had luck, especially in the Middle Ages. The Burlotto family has owned the castle since the early 20th century. The Burlotto family is credited with honoring an indigenous grape, the Pelaverga. An exciting wine that is worth a visit with tasting.
ALBA SERRALUNGA
It can be said that the village of Serralunga is the setting of his castle. It is one of the best-preserved castles of the ‘300 in Piedmont. The court can be visited at different times in various months.
Families, especially with children and young people, will appreciate guided tours created especially for them. You will find out who lived there and how they lived there, and you can also recite the story by living it as protagonists. Did it intrigue you? We adults also appreciate and have fun with them. Guaranteed!
