Castellino Tanaro: Discover Churches, Hilly Landscapes and Trails

Castellino Tanaro combines the hilly landscape typical of the Langhe with sacred art and historic buildings. The area lies on the right bank of the Tanaro, in the orographic sense. If you would like to combine nature, culture and a specifically described route, the town offers various points of interest. When choosing your hotel, you can weigh visits to the town against excursions in the surrounding region.

Hilly Landscapes and Special Natural Features

The landscape includes meadows and farmland on the valley floor, as well as chestnut, oak and alder woods and heathland. Vineyards have by now become rare in the hills. Near Madonna della Neve lies the Genepreto area, the first place in Italy where the plant Polygala exilis DC was found. The Madonna della Neve sanctuary is situated in a peaceful location with panoramic views. For your planning, this means you can combine open landscapes, woodland and a distinctive botanical feature.

Churches and Sacred Art

The parish church of Maria Vergine Assunta has three naves and contains valuable 15th-century frescoes depicting the Apostles. It also preserves a precious marble ciborium with gilded details from the 16th century. It was elevated to the status of a parish church in 1735. The Madonna della Neve sanctuary preserves a Roman stele intended to mark the tomb of two members of the Valerii family of the Publilia family.

Frescoes in the Chapels

The Cappella di San Cristoforo preserves a 16th-century fresco attributed to the so-called Master of Cigliè. The Cappella di San Rocco contains 16th-century frescoes depicting the Annunciation, the Virgin Mary enthroned, Saint Sebastian and Saint Roch. The Cappella di Sant'Onorato was built in 1582 and contains paintings of Saint Honorius, Saint John the Baptist and other saints.

Buon-Cammino Route

The Buon-Cammino Route runs from the centre of Castellino Tanaro to Marsaglia. It is 12 km long, has an elevation difference of 200 metres and is estimated to take four hours. This combination helps you factor the time required for a hike into your daily planning at an early stage.

Bridge and Castle Remains

The Ponte sul Tanaro at Piantorre is one of the early reinforced-concrete bridges; its design dates to 1909, while construction took place between 1912 and 1913. The surviving keep of the vanished castle complex of Castellino Tanaro is approximately 32 to 33 metres high and comprises five floors above ground.

Places to Visit in the Surrounding Area

The Museo Della Ceramica Di Mondovi' is a museum in the vicinity of Castellino Tanaro; Palazzo Fauzone is a palace in the same area. The Giardini del Belvedere are a garden, while Parco Europa is a park in the surrounding area. Further afield in the region are Bric Mindino and Monte Moro di Frabosa, both mountains. The area also includes the Museo dei Cavatappi di Barolo, a museum, and Castello Falletti di Barolo, a castle. The range of attractions therefore extends from sacred art and architectural history to gardens, parks and mountains.

For the rest of your trip to Italy, you can also explore Morozzo, Lequio Tanaro, Roddino, Crissolo, Farigliano, Mombasiglio, Roccabruna and Lesegno as additional destinations.

For the main travel overview: Cuneo.