Melazzo: Churches, Villa Scati and the Erro Valley

Melazzo combines sacred architecture, a layered local history, paths through the landscape and the character of the Torrente Erro.

Churches steeped in Piedmontese architectural and artistic history

In the town centre stands the Parrocchiale di San Bartolomeo, built from 1757 to 1759. Its decorations preserve the Piedmontese Baroque style. The furnishings also include a painting attributed to Guglielmo Caccia, also known as Il Moncalvo. Valuable solid walnut furnishings complete the interior.

The Oratorio di San Pietro Martire dates from the 15th to the 16th century. It contains a backrest in the Piedmontese Baroque style of the late 18th century. The Chiesa di San Defendente, dating from the 15th century, also belongs to Melazzo’s earlier architectural history.

Other distinctive churches add their own historical accents. The Chiesa di San Secondo dates from the 12th century and has a broad single-nave interior with three narrow windows and a semicircular apse. The Chiesetta di San Felice martire dates back to the late 16th century. The Chiesa dell’Annunziata was designed in the Piedmontese Baroque style in 1783 and is located near the Melazzo cemetery. In the hamlet of Arzello, the present appearance of the Chiesa di San Giuseppe dates from 1853.

Villa Scati and the view over the Erro Valley

Villa Scati was expanded in 1883 based on drawings by Giovanni Ceruti. The building hosted Guglielmo Marconi, Silvio Pellico and members of the House of Savoy. A self-guided visit to Villa Scati includes a walk through the park.

From Castello Gandolfi, the view extends across all of Melazzo and the Erro Valley below. The Torrente Erro and its valley near Melazzo are characterised by clear water, smooth, colourful stones, riverside vegetation and old, tall trees.

Melazzo lies along the Strada degli Aromatici on the Montechiaro–Roboaro section.

Hiking trails for different levels of difficulty

The TFT-11 Terzo–Melazzo–Cavatore itinerary is a flat, 4.5-kilometre route. It follows paths and unpaved roads and runs along the Torrente Erro to Melazzo.

The TFT-13 Terzo–Moncrescente itinerary follows a 4.5-kilometre circular route to Moncrescente Castle (“la Tinazza”). The itinerary covers a total of 12.5 kilometres with 260 metres of elevation gain.

A free hiking guide and GPS tracks are available for download for the Terzo–Melazzo–Cavatore nature route. Near the mouth of the Rio Caliogna, a preserved section of the ancient Roman aqueduct can also be seen.

A culinary event in April

The Sagra dello Stoccafisso takes place in April. If you plan your trip around seasonal interests, this event can be considered a distinct cultural and culinary highlight alongside the churches, Villa Scati and the paths along the Erro.

Discover more destinations

For further planning, you can also explore Serravalle Scrivia, Arquata Scrivia, Girasole, Giarole, Paderna, Alessandria, Quattordio and Vignale Monferrato.

For the main travel overview: Alessandria.