Discover Sanico: Churches, Forest and Regional Culture

Sanico combines traces of church history with routes through wooded landscapes and cultural destinations in the surrounding area. Those planning their trip to Italy independently can get to know the area from different perspectives: through the development of its churches, along the path through the forests of the Ex Cave di Cardona Nature Park, or through its connection to Castello di Razzano.

Church History with Several Layers of Names

The parish church in Sanico was initially dedicated to San Grato in 1577, to SS. Grato e Antonio from 1620, and finally exclusively to S. Antonio. The Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate was elevated to parish church in Sanico in the 17th century. As early as 1619, Bishop Scipione Pascali had separated the parish of S. Antonio from the parish of Alfiano.

At the S. Antonio church, the S. Michele brotherhood had its own gallery. It was built in 1733 with episcopal approval. Thus, the history of the religious building includes not only its changing dedications, but also the documented presence of a local brotherhood.

Forest Route and Paths Through the Surrounding Area

Public access to Sanico is indicated via the Alfiano Natta stop on GTT bus route 3023. In the surroundings of Sanico, the route runs for approximately three kilometres through the forests of the Ex Cave di Cardona Nature Park.

The Cammini Monferrato Don Bosco route also passes through Sanico: Stage 7 leads from Santuario di Crea to Calliano M. and runs through the area. Strada dei Colli Petrosi is a point of interest because of its ancient gypsum and Cantone quarries. Together with the forest section, this creates a thematic route combining natural and cultural connections.

Castello di Razzano and Regional Culture

Castello di Razzano is located in the surroundings of Sanico, with origins tracing back to a medieval fortress belonging to the Natta family. The Museo ArteVino Razzano can be visited in the courtyard of Castello di Razzano; it opened in October 2009. This allows you to combine a historic site and a museum at a specific destination near Sanico when planning your day.

Roses, Bread and Local Memory

Cascina Vicentini in Sanico cultivates more than 60 rare old rose varieties and sells them in its adjoining nursery. Another insight into local everyday life comes from the communal ovens: one of the three communal ovens of Alfiano Natta was located in the Sanico canton. Users of the communal oven paid two one-pound loaves of bread and one focaccia for each baking session.

When planning your individual trip, you can therefore focus on different aspects in Sanico: church history in the area, the forest route and the Cammini-Monferrato-Don-Bosco route, culture around Castello di Razzano, or regional themes such as roses and bread. When choosing your accommodation, this division helps you clearly determine your preferred daily rhythm between sightseeing in the area, sections of the route and excursions in the surroundings.

Further places for your regional planning: Ricaldone, Rocca Grimalda, Odalengo Piccolo, Guazzolo, Casasco, Trisobbio, Treville and Castellazzo Bormida.

For the overarching travel overview: Alessandria.