A stay at the lovely Locanda dell’Arte, in Solonghello, in the Monferrato area, in the district of Alessandria, allows you to discover beautiful places like Cella Monte, Conzano, Moleto.
Cella Monte and its ancient castle
Cella Monte (AL) is one of the places that is possible to visit in Piedmont, if you stay at the Locanda dell’Arte, in Solonghello, in the District of Alessandria.
The toponym of Cella Monte comes most likely from the places where people used to stock farming products, called exactly cellae. In its past it belonged to the marquises of Ivrea, and then, to the Episcopacy of Vercelli.
Nowadays, in the urban fabric of Cella Monte, Alessandria in Piedmont, are still visible some valuable buildings, historic mansions and wonderful courtyards. These are the unforgettable marks left from the many lineages ensued one after the other, until the French Revolution.
Among the fine building, you can admire the ancient castle, which, during the XVII Century, was turned into a stately house by the Ardizzoni family, as well as the Radicati Mansion, and the small church dedicated to St. Quirico.
This is why you must visit Cella Monte, from the Locanda dell’Arte, in Solonghello, in the District of Alessandria.
Cella Monte view
Conzano, and its old town developed in concentric circles
Conzano is located in the same region (Piedmont) and in the same district (Alessandria) of the Locanda dell’Arte (located in Solonghello), and it is definitely a hamlet to discover.
Conzano has been overlooking for over a millennium over the enchanting valleys of the Rotaldo and Grana streams. Its old town is an unbelievable testimony of a traditional hill village, built in concentric circles.
The major art expressions offered to all the visitors, are gathered into the churches, even though there are also valuable examples of noble palaces. A typical example is the residence of the Vidua Counts, which dates back to the Eighteenth Century and it blends in a great way with the urban landscape in which it lays.
Among the main religious architectonical examples, we can find the Parish Church of St. Lucy from the XII Century, the evocative small church dedicated to St. Rocco, and the Parish Church dedicated to St. Maurice, dating back to 1400.
Conzano view
Moleto and the mysterious Saracen Caves
Moleto (Alessandria), is a lovely Piedmontese hamlet. It is not difficult to reach from the Locanda dell’Arte, in Solonghello, in the District of Alessandria, and it certainly is a very ancient settlement, as the Churches of St. Michael and St. Germain testify, dating back to before the 1000, as well as the mysterious Saracen Caves.
The same name of “Moleto” should come from the presence of the Saracens in the area. Of particular interest is observing, walking by its main road, the construction material used to build some houses.
