Portacomaro: Ricetto, Churches and Local History

Portacomaro between the Ricetto and its churches

Portacomaro brings together a fortified complex, Romanesque architecture, church history and local religious customs. Il Ricetto, San Pietro and San Bartolomeo lead through different periods, while the Sagra del Caritin and the Cammino di Sant’Evasio reveal further aspects of the town.

Il Ricetto and Piazza Marconi

Il Ricetto in Portacomaro dates from the 10th or 11th century. The walled, fortified complex served to protect the town’s houses, warehouses, granaries and important buildings. Its buildings stand about ten metres above the level of Piazza Marconi.

San Pietro: Romanesque building with a crypt

The church of San Pietro was built around the year 1130. It is a rectangular Romanesque-Lombard building with a gabled structure and measures 13.86 metres in length and 4.80 metres in width. Inside, San Pietro has a crypt that can be accessed through a trapdoor in front of the portal. In addition to its early date of construction, its precise dimensions and the unusual location of the access point give the building a clearly defined architectural profile.

For your planning, San Pietro’s opening arrangements are particularly important: From April to October, the church is open on the first Sunday of each month. It can be opened on request all year round, but is usually closed. If you would like to see the church’s interior, you should therefore plan your visit for one of these Sundays or arrange an opening in advance.

Other churches and their construction history

The Chiesa dei Battuti stands on the Ricetto in Località Rosa and is locally known as Batì. It is the traditional home of the local confraternity of the Disciplinati. The present parish church of San Bartolomeo was built in 1699–1700 after the former building, together with two adjoining houses and a section of wall beneath it, had been demolished. San Bartolomeo also contains a side altar dedicated to the Rosary dating from around 1654. The side altar is therefore older than the present parish church.

Customs, trails and yoga in the vineyard

At the annual Sagra del Caritin, a temporary Mass is celebrated in the church square. The “carità” offered by the faithful and intended for auction are blessed during the event. The Cammino di Sant’Evasio leads to the Sant’Evasio chapel in the Miravalle area, on the border between Portacomaro and Asti.

At Produttori di Portacomaro, yoga in the vineyard is offered on request. This experience complements the historic churches and the religious event with a wine-related stay in the rural surroundings. The two topics also differ in terms of their timing: One custom takes place every year, while the vineyard experience is dependent on a request.

More places for planning your trip: Moasca, Castello Di Annone, Castagnole Monferrato, Cortiglione, Canelli, Olmo Gentile, Ferrere, Castelnuovo Belbo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Asti.