Piemonte: Exploring Castles and Churches around Asti, the Lands of the Radicati Counts

Private Residence Unveiled

• Castle of Robella
  Imagine being welcomed by the family that has lived in the castle for over 25 generations. You will be invited into its most significant interiors, exploring the living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and cellars. For those interested, there’s an opportunity to climb the tower and enjoy an incredible 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Alpine arc! Enthusiasts can also gain exclusive access to the castle’s archive, which houses precious historical documents from the Middle Ages to the present day. The interiors showcase a blend of medieval, 18th, and 19th-century elements, including irregular medieval rooms and beautifully decorated walls from later periods. Original furnishings, ancestral portraits, and family memorabilia enrich this journey back in time, narrated by the hosts with fascinating stories and anecdotes. The castle is surrounded by an expansive park.

Key Locations

• Castle of Robella: Built in the 13th century, it is one of the castles in the County of Cocconato, owned by the ancient Counts Radicati family. The original polygonal fortress, still discernible today, has been expanded over the centuries. In 1823, architect Carlo Mosca designed a metal-framed tower for astronomical observation.
• Cocconato: Perched on the highest hill in the area, this village is dominated by the ancient tower of the Radicati family. Known as “the Riviera of Monferrato,” Cocconato became a popular vacation destination in the early 1900s.
• Canonica di Vezzolano: Suspended between Romanesque and Gothic styles, this church boasts one of the largest preserved medieval fresco cycles in Piedmont. The cloister features three bays commissioned by the Radicati family in the 13th century.
• A Local Winery: Enjoy tastings of the region’s wines.

Journey Storytelling: A Dive into History and Traditions
This full-day experience combines history, tradition, and fine cuisine as we explore the lands of the Counts Radicati in today’s Astigiano region. The rolling hills retain their medieval charm, with ancient villages, hilltop castles, and numerous Romanesque churches scattered across the landscape. This region is renowned for its culinary excellence and outstanding wines.

The Counts Radicati played a significant role in shaping this territory. Their influence, encompassing multiple family branches, remained independent for centuries from the Marquises of Monferrato, the city of Asti, and the House of Savoy.

This tour is part of the “Dimore Amiche del Piemonte” project, in collaboration with FIAVET Piemonte, the Italian Federation of Travel and Tourism Enterprises Associations.

Information and Prices

• Duration: Full-day tour, approximately 13 hours
• Cost per person: €95.00
• The tour is conducted in Italian. Please inquire in advance for other languages

The cost includes:

• Round-trip transportation by reserved GT coach from Turin
• Highway tolls and parking fees
• Accompaniment by a tour guide
• Exclusive guided visit to the Castle of Robella by the property owners
• Guided visit to the Canonica di Vezzolano by an art historian
• Lunch in a typical Monferrato restaurant
• Civil liability insurance (RC Vittoria Spa)

For information and bookings: piemonte@adsi.it (Reference #IT2404)