Discover Villanova Monferrato

Villanova Monferrato combines a clearly documented founding history with churches, palaces, museums and a cycle route closely connected with rice culture. If you are looking for a place in Italy with historical themes and a variety of excursion options, the municipality offers several specific points of interest for your trip.

History and Religious Buildings

Villanova Monferrato was founded in 1197 as a Borgo Franco, meaning a free municipality; the charter was issued by the Consignori of Vercelli. This early historical classification provides the town with a tangible starting point for exploring its past. The churches also span different eras: San Michele Arcangelo was built in the first half of the 17th century and rebuilt in the following century. The Church of San Bernardino was built in the 17th century.

Another visible memorial is the Monumento ai Caduti. In Villanova Monferrato, it commemorates those who fell in all wars. Thus, alongside architectural history and architecture, remembrance and local history also stand as independent themes.

Cycle Route Through the Rice Landscape

For active days, the “Ciclovia della Bassa Risicola” is particularly interesting. It is a 40 km-long tourist cycle route connecting Villanova Monferrato, Rive, Morano sul Po and Balzola. The project runs through the rice-growing landscape and celebrates rice culture. This makes it possible to experience the area not only through individual sights, but also through an agricultural landscape and its regional significance.

The reported program of “Batuma” also addressed this connection and included a bicycle tour through the rice fields. The finale of “Batuma” included historical plowing work. Both references show different ways of approaching the rice landscape: once through movement across the fields, and once through traditional agricultural work.

Palaces, Museum and Green Spaces in the Surrounding Area

In the vicinity of Villanova Monferrato are Palazzo Gozani di Treville, a palace, Castello dei Paleologi, a castle, Palazzo San Giorgio, a palace, as well as the Museo Civico e Gipsoteca Bistolfi, a museum. The different types of buildings and the museum collection offer several ways to explore regional architecture and culture without reducing the area to just one historical period.

The Giardini della Stazione, a garden, and the Parco Fluviale del Po e dell'Orba Sede Operativa, a park, are also located nearby. In the wider regional surroundings of Villanova Monferrato, there are also the Giardini Don Giovanni Brevi and the Giardini Don Secondo Pollo; both are gardens. This allows you to set different priorities when planning your trip, choosing between historical themes, cycling, museum visits and green outdoor spaces. Your choice of accommodation can sensibly be based on whether you want to focus more on local culture, the cycle route or excursions into the wider surrounding area.

More Places to Discover

Olivola, San Cristoforo, Murisengo, Volpedo, Garbagna, Treville, Montaldo Cosola and Borghetto Di Borbera

For the overarching travel overview: Alessandria.