Cessole: Medieval Town Centre and Local Festivals

Cessole preserves a distinctly medieval town centre. In the evenings, stones, archways and dry-stone walls are highlighted by carefully planned lighting. At the highest point of the historic centre, the foundations of an ancient tower and traces of the walls of the former castle of Cessole have been preserved. At this same highest point of the historic town centre stands a casaforte, which initially served military purposes and was later used as a residence.

Churches with several historical layers

The parish church of Cessole was completed in 1784 and designed by Giacomo Carretto, a pupil of Juvarra. It comprises two churches arranged one above the other. The lower church is the oratory of the Confraternity of the Disciplinati and is also known as Chiesa dei Battuti; several panels from a 16th-century Stations of the Cross are preserved there. The sacred architecture thus ranges from the 16th-century church building through the 1784 parish church to the Baroque Sant'Alessandro.

The Santuario della Madonna della Neve is a 16th-century church building with a colonnaded portico in front and a slender bell tower. The name Madonna della Neve connects this church building with the annual festival on 5 August.

Other buildings between the town centre and the Bormida

The church of Sant'Alessandro is a Baroque building in the lower part of Cessole, on the other side of the Bormida. Its location distinguishes it from the historic centre, where the highest point with tower foundations, castle walls and the casaforte is situated. Anyone wishing to visit the interior of Sant'Alessandro can enquire at the nearby Albergo del Ponte.

From the casaforte towards the hills

From the casaforte, a section of a Sternìa leads uphill towards the hill. This uphill direction should be taken into account when planning the day.

Festivals and local traditions

The Sagra delle frittelle takes place on the third Sunday in May and includes a rural procession. On Christmas Eve, from 10 p.m., a live Nativity scene from the Langhe is presented in the lanes of Cessole's old town centre, illuminated only by torches. Anyone planning to attend this event should take into account that it begins at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

The annual Madonna della Neve festival on 5 August combines Holy Mass with socialising and the traditional games of Pantalera and bocce.

The Cucca area opposite the historic centre

The Cucca area lies on the right bank of the Bormida di Millesimo, opposite the historic centre of Cessole. Cucca and the historic centre therefore lie on opposite sides of the Bormida di Millesimo. Alongside the town centre with its churches, traces of the castle and casaforte, Cucca forms a separate geographical point of reference on the river.

Other destinations in the same area

For further travel planning, you can also include Nizza Monferrato, Tonco, Frinco, Mombercelli, Motta Di Costigliole, Migliandolo Di Portacomaro, Costigliole Dʼasti and Cortanze in your plans.

For the higher-level travel overview: Asti.