Grazzano Badoglio amid churches, vineyards and history

Grazzano Badoglio combines sacred art, historic sites of remembrance and the wine-growing landscape of Monferrato with signposted trails through the surrounding area.

Parish Church, Santo Spirito and Casa Badoglio

The parish church of Grazzano Badoglio is the former abbey church founded by Aleramo between 950 and 960. The third chapel on the right of the parish church contains an altarpiece by Andrea Pozzo depicting the death of Saint Francis Xavier. Santo Spirito adds another historical dimension: the church was built between the late 17th and early 18th centuries by the Confraternity of the Disciplinanti dello Spirito Santo. The abbey church and Santo Spirito thus represent two historical periods.

The former Badoglio family home is also part of the town’s historic appearance and is used as a historical museum. In its courtyard, the Pro Loco of Grazzano Badoglio organizes a restorative snack in spring after the hike Camminare il Monferrato along the trails through the vineyards.

Badoglio Stele and Madonna dei Monti

The Badoglio Stele is a 24-metre-high steel monument on a large granite pedestal. In the vicinity of Grazzano Badoglio, a stele commemorating the Banda Lenti partisan group stands on the Madonna dei Monti hill. Another monument on Madonna dei Monti commemorates all partisan formations active in the Monferrato Casalese.

One of the town’s distinctive historical features is also a simulated archaeological excavation site. It is one of the operational sites of the Ecomuseo del Basso Monferrato Astigiano.

Wine and local specialities

Soma d'aj is considered a farmers’ snack during the grape harvest. It is prepared with extra virgin olive oil, Monferrato garlic and homemade bread, and is accompanied by Barbera grapes. Azienda Vitivinicola Fratelli Natta in Grazzano Badoglio offers wine tastings and wine sales. Tenuta Santa Caterina produces Grignolino d'Asti DOC.

Hiking trails through vineyards and meadows

The Sentiero delle Tre Pievi is a 7.5-kilometre hiking trail marked with white-and-red CAI signs, with a stated walking time of 2.5 hours. It runs along vineyard ridges and leads to the chapels of S. Salvatore and S. Martino.

Another option is the Sentiero Tra i prati e le vigne della Terra di Aleramo. This trail is 8 kilometres long and marked with white-and-red CAI trail signs. It leads from Piazza Cotti to Cascina Orti and back in Grazzano Badoglio. The two trails are close in length, at 7.5 and 8 kilometres, but differ in their described routes and endpoints. On both routes, white and red CAI signs mark the way. The stated walking time for the Sentiero delle Tre Pievi also provides a specific timeframe for planning the day.

Events throughout the year

The event Il Suol d'Aleramo takes place on five consecutive Saturdays, beginning on the second Saturday in July.

More places for trip planning

Other destinations for orientation: Valenzani, Refrancore, Frinco, Tonco, Moasca, Canelli, Penango, Baldichieri D'asti

For the broader travel overview: Asti.