Roddino: Vineyards, Art and History in the Langhe

Roddino lies at an altitude of more than 600 metres among vineyards, meadows and woods on the border between the lower and upper Langhe. This landscape combines open areas with wooded sections and gives the place a distinct regional character. This creates several ways to plan your trip: you can get to know Roddino through its historic centre, along trails through the surrounding area or through its wine and culinary specialities.

Historic Centre and Ecclesiastical Traces

The settlement of Roddino developed around a fortified castle in the area of today’s historic centre. A walk through Roddino’s historic centre leads through historic alleyways and to old photographs. This makes history tangible not only through individual buildings, but also through the structure of the centre and its visible memories.

Today’s Church of Santa Margherita was initially built as an oratory near the castle of the Marquises of Saluzzo. After its reconstruction in 1420, it became the parish church. It also preserves sections of its side walls dating from the 15th century, as well as a holy-water stoup from 1499. The Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia also has an original Romanesque apse.

Another ecclesiastical trace leads to the Chapel of Santa Maria della Neve. It has been documented since 1645 and is rich in votive offerings. Together with the Church of Santa Margherita and the historic centre, it forms a cultural focal point that is particularly suitable for travellers who wish to explore local history through specific buildings, alleyways and sacred details.

Trails Through the Landscape

The landscape around Roddino can also be explored through various activities. The fifth stage of the Bar-to-Bar trail leads from Roddino towards Serralunga along a grassy path by the Chapel of Madonna della Neve. The trail connects the name of the place with a distinct landscape scene and complements a walk through the centre with a rural perspective.

For mountain biking, the Roddino–Sinio–Montelupo–Sinio–Serralunga section is relevant. It is recommended primarily for experienced cyclists. This explicit classification is important for your planning if you want to distinguish between a leisurely walk, a route through meadows and countryside or a more demanding cycling tour.

Art in the Village and Landscape

The historic centre is home to the mural “However Many Times We Ran The Model The Results Were Pretty Much The Same” by Liam Gillick and Hito Steyerl. It is part of the European Prospettive project. “Luce nel bosco” by Beni Altmüller adds a land-art work that relates to Roddino’s nature and landscape. Here, art can therefore be encountered both in the village and in its broader landscape context.

Wine, Hazelnuts and an Event in July

Roddino’s vineyards cover more than 100 hectares. They produce Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Favorita, Rossese, Chardonnay, Alta Langa and Nascetta. This variety makes wine an important subject when exploring the local character. Roddino’s culinary specialities also include the “Tonda Gentile delle Langhe” hazelnut.

The Fiera del Tartufo Nero, held every year in July, includes tastings, meetings and discussions about biodiversity and climate. The event thus combines culinary themes with questions concerning nature and the landscape. If you plan a trip around this event, the focus will be not only on the black truffle, but also on regional products and the different sides of Roddino.

When choosing your accommodation, you can take the focus of your stay into account: the historic centre represents alleyways, photographs, churches and art; the landscape represents vineyards, meadows, woods and trails. Those comparing Roddino as a destination with both a cultural and rural profile will therefore find a clear basis for their own planning.

Further places for your travel planning: Savigliano, Barge, Prine, Canale, Marene, Sanfront, Lagnasco, Serralunga D’alba

For the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.