Three authentic villages to visit in the Langhe: Alba, Murazzano and Canelli

Langhe Piemonte: Join SlowDays and visit three beautiful towns

Hello, all SlowDays friends, and welcome back to explore our beloved Langhe region in Piedmont! If you are here, it is because you want to learn more about the most interesting towns in the Langhe. With the arrival of spring or fall, we tend to take a few days away from home for short vacations, and every weekend is an opportunity to explore new destinations and attractions. I want to begin with a general introduction to what Langhe Piemonte represents.

Where is Langhe located?
The Langhe are in Piedmont, between the provinces of Cuneo and Asti. The Langhe can be easily reached from Milan to the east and Genoa to the south. They are approximately 180 km away from both cities. Turin is much closer, approximately 60 km.

What is the Langhe?

The Langhe is a territory divisible into low-altitude Langhe villages, high-altitude Langhe villages (Alta Langa), and Langhe Astigiane.

Since 2014, the Langhe have been officially included, along with Roero and Monferrato, in the World Heritage List. The name of these beautiful hills comes from the Piedmontese dialect, where”langhe” means” Tongue” and refers to the sinuous shapes of the land. The Langhe is rich in history, art, and culture; famous are the wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Alba Barbera, but also the gastronomic sector, some delicacies are more unique than rare, such as the White Truffle of Alba, the famous Tonda Gentile hazelnut, and Robiole di Roccaverano and Murazzano.

Le Langhe or La Langa, as the Piedmontese say, why are they so famous?

I am borrowing from Cesare Pavese, who has provided me with valuable insights into this area through his books. If you have read anything by this author, you know that Pavese describes it as a fairy tale land. The simple world, with the rhythms cadenced by peasant nature. It is a gentle landscape with hills, woods, and excellent vineyards. Although many years have passed, the sweetness and softness of nature still make any activity enjoyable. The green reassures, and you can see a lot of green in the hills. In the Langhe, you sometimes get the impression that time has stopped. In some villages, you still find the main square with the elders gathered, the market with farmers offering their products. Many small, family-run wineries make you appreciate the world of the vineyard and the grape harvest.

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Alba: capital of the Langhe region, home to truffles, history, and industry

Let’s start in the Lower Langa region

When discussing Piedmont’s Langhe, one cannot help but think of the town of Alba, the “capital” of the region. In the past, Alba was known as the city of a hundred towers built between the 14th and 15th centuries. To this day, very few remain and are preserved between Piazza Risorgimento and Via Cavour. The latter is one of the main streets in the historic center, a street that has retained its typical medieval appearance.

There are numerous religious architectural sites to visit, the main one being the Duomo, also known as the Church of San Domenico, which is so famous that it hosts exhibitions and concerts throughout the year. The “capital” of the Langhe has also been a point of reference for many important historical figures, such as Beppe Fenoglio and Giordano Berti, authors of fiction who dedicated several works to the town.

Alba and the Truffle

Alba is best known for the White Truffle, which complements other typical dishes of Piedmontese culture, such as tajarin, agnolotti del plin, and raw meat carpaccio. An annual fair is also dedicated to the White Truffle of Alba, held since 1928 in October, and to this day, it is considered an event of international significance. Another significant event is Vinum, the festival dedicated to the wine of the Alba territory, in which there are as many as 290 wineries; Alba wines are divided into DOC ( Barbera, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo) and DOCG ( Barbaresco, Moscato, and Barolo) and in the territory there are wineries with significant names indeed, such as Ceretto, Borgogno or Ettore Germano.

Industry and the Albese territory

Speaking of the city of Alba, it is essential to mention the significant industries in the town, such as Ferrero, Miroglio, and Mondo. There are many reasons to take a trip to Alba; it is an all-around rich, welcoming, and exciting city. Contact us, and SlowDays will organize the tour you’ve been dreaming of!

Follow this link for more insights on what to see in Alba Piemonte, the capital of the Langhe.

Murazzano: nature and traditions where life flows quietly

What to see in High Langa

We move to Alta Langa and, more precisely, to Murazzano. I want to tell you about this municipality because it is rich in points of interest and offers a variety of astronomical specialties.

An imposing medieval tower dominates the center of Murazzano, once part of a fortified castle, standing a total of 33 meters high. Not far from the town center is the Langhe Safari Park, home to more than 50 species of animals, a total of about 350 specimens, housed in cozy and well-equipped spaces; the park is about 5 km long and can be explored for a stretch on foot and another with one’s car ( a stretch where wolves, lions, and large herbivores can be admired). The park is an excellent choice for families who want to combine a tour of the wineries with a few hours dedicated to the kids 😎

Typical of the town is the Cheese of the same name: Murazzano DOP, which was recognized at the European level in 1996. This classic toma or robiola Cheese has an uncooked, soft texture and a short maturation period. Murazzano PDO is made from sheep’s milk from the native breed of the Langhe, which is usually pure. It pairs well with Dolcetto d’Alba and Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato. Murazzano is one of the leading centers for cultivating the renowned Piedmontese hazelnut, Tonda Gentile delle Langhe, a PGI variety also known as Trilobata.

Why not use the warm weather to visit the historic center and stop at one of the local farms? Visiting the Langhe has never been easier; turn to the SlowDays team!

Canelli: home of Moscato wine and underground cathedrals

The Langa Astigiana is that territory that reaches as far as the province of Asti, characterized chiefly by small medieval villages. Canelli is one of the symbolic towns of the Langhe Astigiane, which has always been significant due to its location. Today, it is the capital of sparkling wine produced by major wineries around Gancia Castle. In 2014, the Langhe, Canelli, and Asti Spumante were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a vital part of the Piedmont Wine Landscape region.

There are many religious architectures to visit, but the most significant element is the Castle or Palazzo Gancia, which was built in the 11th century to defend the roads leading to the ports of Savona.

Canelli is also famous for its underground cellars, which are used to age sparkling wine. These are real underground cathedrals that extend beneath the city; millions of bottles are left to ferment at a constant temperature of 12-14°C, allowing them to absorb the typical Canelli aromas and flavors. Contratto, Santero, Cantine Bosca, and Coppo Srl are the most critical wineries.

Want to know more? Here is an article about Monferrato to discover in three days.

Practical tips for discovering authentic villages

In this article, we’ve taken a brief journey through three towns and cities, but many more interesting stops await you.
You can take a full Langhe tour by car, passing through small villages and castles, stopping each day to visit a winery. A Langhe tour by car among small towns and castles
Read more about the towns to visit in our article on some unmissable stops in the beautiful Langhe area.
There are many more towns to visit, and we’ll continue introducing them, one article at a time! SlowDays organizes tailor-made, relaxing tours for every traveler: our specialty is the Langhe.
Remember to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts, where we publish weekly reviews, offers, and news about our packages.
Thank you for reading. See you next time!

Want to read more about ALBA? Follow me on Alba City, not just Langhe

Or get information about exploring the Langhe by bike? Langhe by bike in two weeks

Or information about the Langhe Territory? Langhe, Roero and Monferrato Guide: The Territory

Map of the Langhe

to understand where the Langhe Piedmont is