Map
Welcome to the Monferrato area
Legend and history in Monferrato
The Monferrato area has centuries of history. The Marquisate of Monferrato was established between the X and XI centuries, after the assignment of some territories to the family of the Aleramici. The area was the scene of different battles and contests in history, until it became part of the Savoy Reign at the beginning of the XVIII century.
The legend says that Aleramo received in the year 1000 an area as wide as the territory he was able to cover on horseback in three days and three nights. The legend also explains the name “Monferrato” itself: in fact, it is said that Aleramo used a brick (mon in the local language) to shoe (ferrat) his horse.
Why to visit the Monferrato area
The area is rich in history, art and culture, from the town of Casale Monferrato – the historical capital of the area and one of the most interesting cultural towns in Piedmont – to two Unesco World Heritage Sites – the Sacred Mount of Crea (that is part of the Sacred Mounts of Piedmont and Lombardy) and the Monferrato of the Infernot, one of the six areas in The Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato.
Moreover, going through the area you will find plenty of villages with local traditions, typical products and geographical positions that always fascinate tourists who visit the Monferrato area in different seasons.
The area is ideal for tourists who love outdoor activities. Thanks to the river Po, the plains and the hills it is possible to do trekking, bike or horse riding and easy-rafting.
Those who are interested in history and architecture will find castles, churches, museums and Infernot – typical cellars dug into a kind of rock that is present only in the Monferrato area, the so called Cantoni Stone.
Events all through the year will let tourists know and discover the town of Casale Monferrato and the villages in the surrounding area.
Last but not least, the Monferrato area is well known in Italy and abroad for its excellent wines (Grignolino and Barbera above all), spirits and other typical products that you can taste in one of the local restaurants or holiday farms: truffles, cold cuts, meat dishes, local sauces, desserts, etc.
Where the area is
The Monferrato area is in Piedmont, in the North-West of Italy, in the provinces of Alessandria and Asti, not far from the cities of Turin, Milan and Genoa – about one hour’s drive.
The area called Monferrato Casalese, in particular, is located between the plain of the river Po and the Monferrato hills,in the South-East of Piedmont.
For more information about how to reach the area please click here.
***********************************************
Follow us on social networks and share your experience in Casale and Monferrato with the hashtag #inMonferrato:
***********************************************
Visit 8 museums in Casale and the Monferrato area with one admission card. For more info please ask about the MOMU (Monferrato Museums) Card
***********************************************
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information about Casale and the Monferrato area:
- telephone number: +39 0142 444.330 (from Tuesday to Sunday);
- e-mail addresses: chiosco@comune.casale-monferrato.al.it ; mondo@monferrato.org
Ph. G. Pasino, Monferrato hills in Autumn