Albugnano: Romanesque architecture, hiking trails and wine country

Historic sites and Romanesque architecture

Albugnano is home to historic churches, an important canonica and trails through the Piedmontese hills. The first document mentioning the Ecclesia di Santa Maria di Vezzolano dates from 1095. The Canonica – Abbazia Santa Maria di Vezzolano was built between the end of the 11th and the beginning of the 12th century.

The Canonica – Abbazia Santa Maria di Vezzolano is an important example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Its cloister features well-preserved frescoes, including shades of intense blue. For those interested in culture, the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of the canonica and the well-preserved frescoes in the cloister are the main highlights.

The Chiesa di San Pietro di Fenestrella is considered the oldest church in the Albugnano area. It has a rectangular hall with a semicircular apse. The church of San Pietro in Albugnano is historically connected to the nearby Canonica di Santa Maria di Vezzolano. A document issued by the Bishop of Vercelli in 1235 confirms that San Pietro was subordinate to the provost of this canonica.

The Chiesa di San Giacomo Maggiore was built around 1450 and has a basilica-style layout with three naves. It stands at the highest point of Albugnano.

Hill trails and panoramic views

At around 550 metres above sea level, Belvedere A. Motta is the highest point in the municipality of Albugnano. From there, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view over the hilly landscape of the Astigiano area. Belvedere A. Motta includes the Parco della Rimembranza, with memorial stones and a central altar.

The Cammino delle Colline Sacre is a hiking trail through the hills of Albugnano, passing historic and religious sites such as the Abbazia di Vezzolano.

The Cammino Romanico Albugnano–Aramengo begins at the Albugnano cemetery, where there is a car park and a picnic area. At the start, hikers can see the Romanesque church of San Pietro. Parts of the masonry and the apse remain from its original structure. The trail descends through woods, meadows and vineyards.

Wine and regional character

Albugnano’s wine tradition includes Azienda Nebbia and the Albugnano 549 project. Azienda Nebbia has been passed down from generation to generation and preserves a tradition based on dedicated work and on enhancing the aromas and characteristics of the area. The Albugnano 549 project is an oenological and region-focused initiative aimed at enhancing an area with Denominazione status that now covers 44 hectares. Its goal is a wine made exclusively from Nebbiolo that expresses the characteristics of this specific area, with marl soils and a higher elevation than other denominations.

Discover more destinations

For further travel planning, you can also consider Soglio, San Marzano Oliveto, Moncalvo, Tigliole, Montechiaro D'asti, Asti, Calamandrana and Castello Di Annone.

For the higher-level travel overview: Asti.