From the Unesco hillsides to Coppi’s trails, when you arrive to QuartoPiemonte you can lose yourself chasing the sun, stop for a mushrooms based break or take a stroll under the arcades in Tortona, but there are four itineraries that you must absolutely try because, alone, they are worth the trip.
In Quarto Piemonte you can visit 4 UNESCO hillsides (4 is definitely our number!)
These areas are so well kept and fascinating to deserve the title that every year The Enoteca Regionale Cavour awards to the most spectacular wine landscapes, not only in Italy but internationally.
The 4 hillsides that have received such prestigious title are the ‘Strada Cerreto Boscogrosso’ (from Monleale to Berzano of Tortona), the ‘Strada della Piasèra’ (from Montale Celli to Rampina di Villaromagnano), Strada Belevedere (from Vho to Sarezzano) and the Strada Cascina Salicetti (from Profigate to Montegioco).
The best way to cross them lasts about half a day. It starts from Tortona and it touches them all clockwise. You can plan your itinerary by car, along an asphalt road, but riding an e-bike is even better, to enjoy the countryside at its best passing through gravel roads. When is the best time to do this? Autumn, for sure, when the vineyards turn yellow and red in a triumph of colors.
In QuartoPiemonte there are at least 4 legends about the two-wheel world. Costante Girardengo, Giovanni Cuniolo, Luigi Malabrocca and fourth, but not least the ‘Grande Airone’ Fausto Coppi.
To discover the origins of the cycling vocation of our lands we must start from Castellania Coppi, birthplace of Fausto and his brother Serse, also a cyclist, although less talented. Here everything speaks of him, starting from his name. You can visit his house-museum, the Coppi brothers mausoleum and take a walk among the giant posters and murales witnesses of their lives and successes.
To discover the roads where the Campionissimo used to train , follow the ‘La Mitica’ path, the cycling historic road with vintage bicycles that, since 2012, celebrates Fausto Coppi and his lands. The route indicated is the longest one, but on the website ‘www.lamitica.it’, you will find shorter alternatives, suitable for the less fit.
Needless to say that you must absolutely ride this route on a bicycle. We let you decide whether you prefer to face riding an e-bike, a mountain bike or a bicycle from the 30s. When to set off? The ideal seasons are the mildest, autumn or spring doesn’t make a difference. The main thing is to pedal!
In QuartoPiemonte there are many villages where it is worth getting lost, under the under the curious gaze of the villagers. Within this itinerary, we suggest you to concentrate your attention on 3 of them, equally rich of history and treasures: Volpedo, San Sebastiano and Garbagna.
Volpedo is a village whose name and history is strictly linked to the renowned painter Giuseppe Pellizza, the author of ‘Il quarto stato’. Here, his presence is everywhere, his paintings reproductions peep out among the houses and it is possible to visit his studio and the beautiful multimedia museum. But there is more to Volpedo: its ‘Pieve’ in Romanesque style, its Spanish city walls and its delicious peaches.
Going upstream the Curone torrent, you will arrive to San Sebastiano, a picturesque village with its elegant palaces , the buildings huddled on each other and the narrow streets. It reminds a Ligurian town. Once strategic for the trade between Genoa and Milan, today it is the capital of the white truffle, with its traditional national November Fair. In 2019 the auction that closes the Fair every year reached even Singapore.
Even Garbagna is influenced by the Ligurian culture, still present in its dialect and in the toponomy. The narrow alleyways, always shaded, with many artisan shops, the central square with its 4 chestnut trees and its unforgettable cherries, the ‘Bella di Garbagna’, are the main characteristics of this charming village.
You can easily dedicate the entire day to this itinerary, moving around by car or, if you prefer to enjoy the view of the countryside, by bicycle. Plan this trip at any time of the year, its charm changes in every season.
The pievi are the churches of the plebs, of the people. They used to be built along the main communication routes and the evidence of the commercial vocation of QuartoPiemonte. Simple and basic areas, often located outside the city walls , destined to the pilgrims, to the peasants and to the shepherds. In the Curone Valley you can visit 3 of them, starting a fascinating spiritual journey.
The first is the ‘pieve di Santa Maria’ in Viguzzolo, dated 11th century. Perfectly preserved, its walls are now completely bare and with only a few fragments of a fresco on the apse, it hides a curious relic. An animated wooden crucifix used during the Inquisition. It was used to decide the sentence during the trials, moving its head thanks to a twine well concealed in the neck.
Continuing along the road, you will get to Volpedo and to the pieve of San Pietro. Built in the 10th century and restored in the 15th century, it is decorated with stunning 15th century frescoes that will take your breath away. You will find yourself immersed in a story without words but made exclusively by images , the easiest way to transmit the faith and the Holy writings.
The last leg is Fabbrica Curone the main area of the upper valley with its pieve dedicated to to Santa Maria. It is different from the others, as you will immediately notice looking at the high bell tower added in 1600. Even its interiors are richer, as you can see looking at the vaulted ceiling that dates back to the 17th century and at the twentieth-century frescoes that have completely changed its original appearance.
The 3 pievi are on the main valley road, so you can easily take this route by car or by bicycle if you have longer time available. We will book the visits for you, at the most convenient times.
