| Monferrato | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Piedmont |
| Capital | Casale Monferrato, Acqui Terme, Asti |
| Surface | 1,800 km² |
| Tourism site | |
The Monferrato is a region of Piedmont.
To know
It is a vast territory located in the central part of the Piedmont and includes the territories ofAsti, of the Casalese and, as regards the Apennine area, theAcquese, L'Ovada and the Novese. Predominantly hilly territory, it extends south of the Po to the northern slope of the Ligurian Apennines. It is an eminently wine region, renowned for the production of red wines such as Barbera, Dolcetto, Grignolino, Freisa and Ruché, and dessert whites such as Moscato, Asti, Malvasia and Brachetto. The centuries-old cultivation of the vine has left an indelible mark both on the surface, with the large expanses of vineyards interspersed with hazelnut groves, wheat fields and woods, and in the basement, with the infernòt del Basso Casalese and the "Underground Cathedrals", large historic cellars in the area of Nizza Monferrato is Canelli.
In 2014 the importance of these places was recognized by theUNESCO who declared the "Wine Landscapes of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato "heritage of humanity, thus increasing the heritage of the area, among which the Sacro Monte di Crea, established in 2003, stood out.
Background
The Marquisate of Monferrato was an ancient pre-unification Italian state, which arose in the 11th century when the Marca Aleramica, managed up to then jointly among all the descendants of Aleramo, was divided between the Marquises of Monferrato and the Marquises of Vasto. It was ruled by the Aleramic dynasties of Monferrato, Paleologi and Gonzaga. It ended in 1574, following its elevation to ducal rank.
Territories and tourist destinations
Urban centers
- Acqui Terme - The city has been famous since Roman times for its sulphurous thermal spring that flows at 75 ° C from the famous Bollente fountain.
- Asti - Center of the largest wine region of Piedmont it was an important medieval republic, known as the city of 100 towers, of which 15 can still be admired in the ancient fortified city.
- Casale Monferrato - Important industrial center, for many centuries it was under the dominion of the Gonzaga, and now offers tourists rich architectural works such as the Paleologi castle or the church of Santa Caterina.
How to get
By plane
The nearest airports are:
- Turin-Caselle Airport. Buses and trains leave from the airport to the Porta Nuova train station in Turin, where you can take the train to Asti.
- Cuneo-Levaldigi Airport
From the airports you can reach the area by renting a car or by shuttle and train.
By car
- From Milan and northern Italy: take the A7 Milan - Genoa and a Tortona pass on the A21.
- From Rome and from central-southern Italy: take the A1 up to Piacenza and then go onto the A21.
By bus
Service carried out by the STAT Group.
How to get around
What see
What to do
- Visit to the Infernot (in Casalese). The infernot are rooms dug into the sandstone or tuff, used for the conservation of bottles or cured meats.
At the table
The typical cuisine of Monferrato includes a wide range of foods ranging from meats, fish, vegetables, cheeses, and typically Monferrato dishes, which have now achieved not only national but also international fame. Among these we remember, among the first courses, the agnolotti "al plin" (literally "al pizzicotto"), the tajarin (fine noodles rich in eggs seasoned with various sauces), Casalese risotto, rice with mushrooms and red wine, vegetable soups, polenta with fried or "commodato" cod. Worthy of mention and above all very well known is the bagna cauda. Among the meats: tripe, zampini (batciuà), chickpeas with head, oxtail (now cooked with Barbera) and cooked salami.
In addition to viticulture, important activities for the economy of Monferrato are agriculture (hazelnuts, fruit), breeding (meats, cheeses), gastronomy (truffles).
Drinks
Monferrato is one of the best known Italian wine regions in the world, especially as regards red wines and sparkling wines.
Safety
Related items
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Monferrato
Commons contains images or other files on Monferrato
