Discover Giarole: Castello Sannazzaro, Churches and Paths along the Po

Giarole reveals its special features at specific places: at Castello Sannazzaro, at the churches of San Giacomo and San Pietro, and along the paths beside the Po. For planning your trip, you can combine culture, an easy route with views, and arrival by road or rail in a practical way.

Culture between Castle and Church

Castello Sannazzaro was founded on the basis of a document issued in Pavia in 1163 by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The document allowed four knights from the Sannazzaro family to build a castle on their property. The oldest wing of Castello Sannazzaro is located next to the Chiesa di San Giacomo, which dates from the 14th century. The church of the castle also contains an altarpiece by Guglielmo Caccia (il Moncalvo) from the early years of the 17th century.

The Chiesa di San Giacomo also leads through several historical layers: it houses paintings and frescoes from the 16th century. The parish church of San Pietro on Piazza San Pietro is freely accessible. Its floor plan takes the form of a Greek cross with a central dome and three naves. These clearly identifiable architectural features are precisely what make the two churches distinct cultural stops in Giarole.

Paths along the Po and Views

From Giarole, hiking and cycling routes along the Po are accessible on the VENTO route between Venice and Turin. This means the surrounding area also appeals to you if you would like to combine your stay with outdoor activities. An easy route from Giarole leads to San Salvatore and the Torre dei Paleologo. Along the way, it offers views of the plain to the east and the hills to the west.

Getting There and Accommodation Location

Giarole can be reached by car via the SP 55 between Casale Monferrato and Valenza. The town also has a small station on the Alessandria–Valenza–Casale Monferrato railway line, which is served by only a few trains. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Giarole, you can therefore consider whether arriving by road or using the existing rail connection is more important for your trip. The route to San Salvatore adds a specific option to this overview for exploring the town on foot or by bicycle.

Destinations in the Surrounding Area

Several destinations with different classifications are located around Giarole: Castello di Pomaro is a castle, while Palazzo Gozani di Treville and Palazzo San Giorgio are palaces. Also in the surrounding area are the Museo Civico e Gipsoteca Bistolfi, a museum, as well as Giardini Aldo Moro, Giardini Camurati and Giardini della Stazione, which are gardens. The Parco Fluviale del Po e dell'Orba Sede Operativa is another point of reference for the regional landscape as a park.

The local events calendar includes the annual “Non solo mais” festival, organized by the Pro Loco and the municipality of Giarole. In this way, community-organized events join buildings, churches and paths in the picture of the town.

More Places for Your Planning

If you would like to combine Giarole with other destinations in the same travel area, you can find Valenza, Trisobbio, Pozzolo Formigaro, Cuccaro Monferrato, Ponzone, Cassine, Voltaggio and Fubine here.

For the broader travel overview: Alessandria.