![\"\u00a9Bigstock.com\/alessandrogiamello\"](\"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/files\/2023\/01\/cuneo_319896520_alessandrogiamello-300x173.jpg\")
\u00a9Bigstock.com\/alessandrogiamello<\/p><\/div>\n
Chianale<\/strong><\/p>\n To be a bit more precise, Chianale is actually a frazione of the municipality Pontechianale with approx. 170 inhabitants. It is located at the upper Valle Varaita running through the Cottian Alps over about 50 km with Maddalena, picturesquely situated at the reservoir lake Lago Pontechianale, as its principal town. You need to ascend to an altitude of about 1,800 m to reach Chianale. Plenty of rock and stone buildings await you here, such as the stone bridge across the river Varaita, which divides Chianale in two. The fairly plain church San Antonio dates back to the 14th<\/sup> century and enchants with its Romanesque portal. Another must-see is Casa Martinet, a former Calvinist temple. It highlights Chianale\u2019s special position during the 16th<\/sup> century as the only place in the entire valley with freedom of religion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Garessio<\/strong><\/p>\n In sharp contrast to Chianale, there are over 2,900 inhabitants at an altitude of 621 m in Garessio. Still, this municipality is another one of the most beautiful places in Italy. It used to be an important stop for salt traders during the Middle Ages, became a major spa town around the early 20th<\/sup> century due to its mineral water sources, only to reinvent itself in recent years as a year-round destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Garessio is a delightful place if you\u2019re looking to spend a sporty holiday in Piedmont. Its membership status with \u201cI borghi pi\u00f9 belli d\u2019Italia,\u201d however, mostly stems from the well-preserved medieval hamlet Borgo Maggiore. The many grand things to see here include the tower Ponte Rosa, which currently houses an art gallery, Casa Odda with its Gothic windows on a fa\u00e7ade made of stone and brick, and the Bricco. These buildings below the castle hill might be a bit run-down, but they are certainly among Garessio\u2019s most fascinating structure. Don\u2019t sleep on Porta Jhape, the town gate that\u2019s still connected to the medieval town walls. The old road of the salt traders runs past nearby.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a9Bigstock.com\/rglinsky<\/p><\/div>\n Monforte d\u2019Alba<\/strong><\/p>\n Wine aficionados might already be familiar with Monforte d\u2019Alba. The grapes for the red wine Dolcetto d\u2019Alba are grown in this place with nearly 2,000 inhabitants. But there are more wine credentials, like the Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes, or the sparkling wine Alta Langa. The vast winegrowing area was actually named UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 \u2013 the 50th<\/sup> Italian site to receive this honour.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Look forward to several opportunities to sample regional fine wines with many a vineyard tour plus wine tastings. Furthermore, Monforte d\u2019Alba managed to retain its medieval layout that fans out toward the valley. Old sundials and oratories are just some of the rather peculiar sights awaiting you along the steep old roads. The belltower is the last surviving witness of the parish church that was first mentioned in 1223. However, nothing but ruins remained of the original castle (first documented in the 11th<\/sup> century) after it was attacked by Savoyard forces. It has since given way to Palazzo Scarampi.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a9Bigstock.com\/Massimo Parisi<\/p><\/div>\n Neive<\/strong><\/p>\n Neive (around 3,300 inhabitants), too, is amidst the famous winegrowing region. The grapes are used for Dolcetto d\u2019Alba, the sweet sparkling wine Asti Spumante and the still wine Moscato d\u2019Asti. Excellent meat and pasta dishes, such as Tajarin al Tartufo (handmade pasta with truffles), and a delicious hazelnut cake spoil the palate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Neive\u2019s actual roots date back to Roman times. Its names derives from the noble Roman family Gens Naevia, the former owners. Still, you\u2019ll mostly get to see medieval architecture here. Among the oldest buildings is the Romanesque 10th<\/sup> century Torre del Monastero, originally part of a Benedictine monastery. Check out the 13th<\/sup> century Torre dell\u2019Orologio to see a Roman memorial plaque. And definitely don\u2019t forget Casa Bongioanni \u2013 one of the newer buildings (constructed around 1750) with rich decorations and numerous frescos.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ostana<\/strong><\/p>\n Ostana almost became non-existent a couple of years ago. The village used to be home to almost 1,200 inhabitants in 1921, only to dip below 70 around 2006. Investments in tourism brought some relief \u2013 the number is getting close 90, even more during the summer months \u2013 but there\u2019s still a long way to go. However, the village at the upper course of the Po river at an altitude of 1,200 m is very much worth seeing. The old structures of the medieval village centre very much bring Ostana\u2019s origins to mind, accompanied by magical views of several tall mountains. Stop by the town hall La Villo, home to a museum, a spa, and \u2013 very soon \u2013 a climbing wall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As different as the five most beautiful places in the Province of Cuneo in Piedmont may be, they all strive to preserve their medieval charm showing off spots that are timeless without being stuck in the past. Magnificent sights, many a fine wine in the UNECSO winegrowing regions, and excellent views of wide valley and astonishing mountain massifs line your next tour of the province. Time for a proper holiday!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Vast slopes and impressive nature turn the multifaceted, magical Province of Cuneo in the westernmost part of Piedmont into a spectacular place to be. Bordering France and Liguria, this area in the northwest of Italy is part of the Cottian … Continue reading ![\"\u00a9Bigstock.com\/rglinsky\"](\"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/files\/2023\/01\/cuneo_37245193_rglinsky-300x200.jpg\")
![\"\u00a9Bigstock.com\/Massimo](\"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/files\/2023\/01\/cuneo_290781988_massimoparisi-300x199.jpg\")