Discover Baldissero d'Alba: Rocche, Churches and History

Baldissero d'Alba combines an old town centre with the geological formations of the Rocche. The parish church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria stands at the centre of the old town; its current façade was built in 1854. The Rocche complement this connection to the town with a landscape featuring different microclimates. When planning your trip, it is worth considering both aspects: sacred architectural history and natural formations offer different focal points for discovering Baldissero d'Alba.

Town Centre and Castello dei Colonna

The Castello dei Colonna is privately owned; part of the surrounding wall and the Torre dei Coltelli can still be seen from the outside. The building is documented as early as 1268 and was remodelled several times between 1585 and 1617. The visible remains and the changes made over several centuries will appeal to travellers who wish to combine historical traces with precise chronological context.

The Rocche as a Landscape Experience

The Rocche are a distinctive geological formation created by a process of erosion lasting thousands of years. Within just a few hundred metres of elevation, they feature different microclimates. Scots pines and downy oaks grow on the dry ridges, while humid and lush habitats develop in the bottoms of the gorges. Those who wish to experience landscapes in their natural contrasts will find a clear focus for their travel planning here.

Sentiero del Roero and Roccolo

The Grande Sentiero del Roero (S1) passes through Baldissero d'Alba along a high Rocche ridge, offering views of the remains of the ancient silva popularis. Those wishing to combine landscape and historical traces will find a suitable thematic approach here. Visits to the Roccolo are available to schools and groups by prior reservation.

Other Historic Buildings

The restored Romanesque apse of Sant'Antonino is an example of mature Romanesque architecture from the beginning of the 13th century. The Madonna delle Grazie chapel was built in 1489 by Gian Giacomo di Saluzzo, the brother of Marquess Lodovico II, and rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century. Both buildings add different periods to the history of Baldissero d'Alba and make the development of sacred architecture a worthwhile cultural theme.

Destinations in the Surrounding Area

The area around Baldissero d'Alba is home to the Palazzo Traversa Museum, Palazzo Mathis, Palazzo Comunale, Castello di Pralormo and the Area Verde Giovanni Falcone Paolo Borsellino garden. For a varied day-trip itinerary, these destinations can be noted as separate points of interest according to your interests in museums, palaces, castles or gardens.

The Wider Regional Area

The wider region around Baldissero d'Alba includes the Arco Trionfale natural arch, Parco Cascina Vigna and the Arco Charles Emmanuel I - Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy natural arch. These destinations complement the town's attractions with a broader regional radius and are therefore suitable as independent themes for your travel planning.

Other places for your travel planning: Valpone, Montezemolo, Gambasca, Mombasiglio, La Morra, Bernezzo, Manzotti and Murazzano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.