Montafia: Churches, Art Nouveau and Traces of the Pliocene

Montafia between the town centre and hamlets

Montafia combines distinctive architecture in the centre with a landscape whose geological history dates back to the Pliocene. The Palazzo Liberty is an Art Nouveau building and characterises the centre. From the town centre to the hamlets of Vignole and Bagnasco, Pliocene outcrops extend across the area. These are geological layers that become visible at the surface.

Architecture in the town centre and in Bagnasco

The Church of San Dionigi is a three-nave Neoclassical church. Its notable portal dates from the 18th century. The Church of San Rocco was completely rebuilt in its present Neo-Gothic form in the 1930s.

In the Bagnasco district, the ruins of a medieval castle are visible. A Gothic entrance arch continues to be regarded as evidence of Bagnasco’s earliest past. The Church of the Holy Martyrs Biagio and Giorgio dates from the late 16th century. The Church of San Giorgio is located in the cemetery of the Bagnasco district.

In Bagnasco’s medieval town area, the birthplace of the painter Francesco Bulgarelli preserves façade decorations with sgraffiti and paintings from the first half of the 20th century; both are still visible. The Church of San Giorgio in the Bagnasco district has three naves and three apses. The old Church of San Giorgio contains valuable frescoes. Inside the Church of San Martino are rustic depictions of Saint Martin on horseback.

The buildings and churches make Montafia an interesting destination for a journey in which you can view architecture as the result of different periods. Medieval traces, churches from different periods of construction, Art Nouveau and visible 20th-century paintings each provide distinct starting points for your exploration. Sgraffiti are decorative patterns incorporated into the façade design and complement the special character of the birthplace.

A landscape with visible geological history

The landscape includes Viale della Rimembranza. It consists of around one hundred lime trees planted in memory of those who fell in the First World War. The sediments of Montafia contain the remains of two baleen whales, which have been exposed by the yellow sand layers of the hills.

Viale della Rimembranza and the sediments offer two different perspectives on Montafia: the avenue of lime trees preserves a memory within the developed townscape, while the sand layers tell of a natural history from the distant past. This makes it possible to understand the surroundings not only through their buildings but also through their landscape forms.

Picnics and knowledge of truffles

An equipped picnic area with tables and benches is located in front of the Cappella della Madonna di Vignole. At Picolandia, the scope of activities includes technical, educational and demonstrative initiatives concerning the knowledge, locating and identification of truffles. Both topics complement the historical and geological impressions with practical ways of engaging with the area.

If you choose a hotel in Montafia, this thematic breadth can help you plan your trip: you can focus your stay on architectural heritage, local history, the landscape or knowledge of truffles. Your decision can therefore remain guided by your interests rather than by a generalised image of the town.

Further places to compare

If you would like to compare further places, you can then view Monale, Mombaruzzo, San Martino Alfieri, Monastero Bormida, Vigliano D'asti, Stazione Cocconato, Castel Rocchero and Quarto.

For the main travel overview: Asti.