Discover Cantarana: Churches, Routes and Local Character

Cantarana offers several different ways to plan your visit: historical architecture, outdoor activities, local festivals, and geological topics can be considered separately. Depending on whether you prefer culture, routes, regional characteristics, or natural history, you can plan your stay around a suitable focus.

Churches and Historical Traces

The present-day parish church of Cantarana was built in 1695 by Antonio Casto and dedicated to Saint Dorothy. Its bell tower is almost 50 metres high and is considered one of the most impressive bell towers in the province of Asti. The Church of San Nazario was renovated in 1786 and acquired its present appearance. The Palazzaccio is also part of Cantarana's historical heritage: it was an old residence of the Malabaila family. The two churches represent different building phases: the parish church dates from 1695, while San Nazario acquired its present appearance after the renovation of 1786.

Routes for Hiking, Nordic Walking and Cycling

Cantarana is associated with different types of routes for various activities. The “Palazzasso” and “Bonoma-Torrazzo” circular routes are associated with Cantarana as Nordic walking routes. The “La Via dell'Acqua”, “Cantarana e i percorsi religiosi” and “Cantarana-Barrano” routes are associated with Cantarana as excursion routes. The “Cantarana-Villafranca d'Asti” route is associated with Cantarana as a cycling route, while “Cantarana-Longaria” is associated with Cantarana as a hiking route. For your day planning in Cantarana, you can therefore schedule “Palazzasso” and “Bonoma-Torrazzo” for Nordic walking, “Cantarana-Longaria” for hiking, and “Cantarana-Villafranca d'Asti” for cycling; the three excursion routes complement this selection.

Festivals with Specific Dates

The local events also have different focuses. The patron saint's festival is associated with a sagra featuring agnolotto and tinca in carpione. On Easter Monday, “Itinerari Cantaranesi” leads through forests on a hike to discover old routes. The “Carnevale Stravecchio” is associated with the second Sunday of Lent, while the patron saint's festival takes place in August. For your schedule in Cantarana, August, the second Sunday of Lent, and Easter Monday are available as different dates.

Fossils and Well Fields in Cantarana

Fossil remains of dolphins and mastodons are associated with Cantarana. There are also fossil-bearing outcrops in the area of Cantarana. This opens up an additional way to explore the town if, alongside buildings and routes, you are also interested in geological history. Another specific feature can be found in the hamlet of Bonoma: the well fields in the hamlet of Bonoma in Cantarana also supply the city of Asti. This extends the focus from churches and historical traces to geological and water-related topics, giving Cantarana a distinctive breadth of content.

Other Places for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to consider other places in addition to Cantarana, you can also include Montechiaro D'asti, Cinaglio, Mombercelli, Pasquana, Costigliole Dʼasti, Cessole, San Paolo Solbrito and Stazione Cocconato in your plans.

For the higher-level travel overview: Asti.