Villa San Secondo: Churches, History and Local Tradition

Villa San Secondo is best experienced through its churches, squares and the visible traces of various centuries. The Parrocchia dei Santi Matteo e Secondo stands on the hilltop of the original settlement, in the square named after Mons. Enrico Schierano. The Baroque parish church occupies the former site of the castle. Below the parish church, the square includes the town hall and the Neo-Gothic Church of Madonna delle Grazie. This creates a cultural walking tour that brings together architecture, religious art and local history.

Architecture and Religious Art

The Parrocchia dei Santi Matteo e Secondo offers a precise architectural starting point: its interior follows a Greek-cross plan and features stucco decoration on the walls and pilasters, as well as Corinthian capitals. The Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie was built in 1632 following a vow made during the plague. Its present appearance derives from a renovation in 1700 and an extension in 1895; it also features pointed-arch windows with stained-glass depictions. The dates associated with Madonna delle Grazie trace the development of its present form from construction through renovation to extension.

The Chiesa della Santissima Trinità also reaches far back into local history. It already existed in the 14th century and was formerly dedicated to Saint Anthony. Behind the altar is a painting of the Coronation of the Virgin with Saint Anthony the Great and Saint Sebastian. The present-day Chiesa di San Carlo was expanded in the 1920s opposite the original church, built in 1896. Its eclectic façade features a relief of Saint Charles Borromeo.

Don Bosco and Local Tradition

Don Bosco stayed in Villa San Secondo several times, including in October 1859. A commemorative stele in front of the church recalls his pastoral work. Local tradition also includes the traditional double sagra featuring agnolotti d’oca and apple friceu. If you are interested in religious history and regional food culture, you will find two different ways here to engage with the character of the town.

Places to Visit in the Surrounding Area

Around Villa San Secondo are Castello di Piea as a castle, the Arazzeria Scassa and the Museo Diocesano “San Giovanni” as museums, and Palazzo Mazzola as a palace.

Several parks are also located nearby: Parco Rio Crosio, Parco Biberach Ander Riss and Parco Monte Rainero. In the wider regional area, there is also the natural arch Arco Charles Emmanuel I – Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy. The spatial distinctions are therefore clear: some destinations are located around Villa San Secondo, while the natural arch is explicitly assigned to the wider regional area.

Further destinations: Agliano, Serravalle, Vigliano D'asti, Rocca D'arazzo, Casorzo, San Matteo, Costigliole Dʼasti, Refrancore

For the higher-level travel overview: Asti.