Cuneo Province

Travel Italy | Town of Nieve | Cuneo Province

TOWN OF NIEVE IN THE CUNEO PROVINCE Neive is a splendid medieval village located in the Western Langhe between Barbaresco and Castiglione delle Lanze. Neive is divided in two parts: the ancient one, rich of artistic monuments, and the most recent one, where the commercial activities are gathered. Neive produces some of the best wines in the Langhe. Neive is called the land of four wines: Barbaresco (made with the Nebbiolo grapes), Barbera (with the Barbera grapes), then Dolcetto d’Alba (with the Dolcetto grapes) and finally sweet dessert white wine Moscato d’Asti (with the Muscat variety). The history of this small town dates back to Roman times, where there was a significant settlement on traffic route between Alba Pompeia (Alba) and Aquae Statiellae (Acqui Terme). At that time (about 1000 b.c) it was owned by the rich aristocratic family Gens Naevia and apparently the town name derives from their name. The most ancient monuments remained on the top of the borgo, called Pian Castello. Unfortunately the castle (castello) has shared the same fate of many spectacular buildings in this part of Piedmont and it was destroyed (in 1276) during the battles between the towns of Asti and Alba. But we can still exploire the old borgo city plan, characteristic for Northern Italy, called ricetto (buildings were situated pentagonal on the top of the hill, fenced with a towered wall, sometimes with a fosse. Such constructed villages was supposed to defend goods (rural tools, harvest, cattle) from the enemy attacks).

What to See in Nieve

Chiesa Di San Pietro is one of the most important churches in Neive. The church is dedicated to Saint Peter and has a beautiful architecture. The church was built in the Baroque style of architecture and the interior of the church is equally beautiful too. Inside the church are several beautiful art works that were done over the centuries by artists of the region and other ornamental decorations. Chiesa Della Confraternita di San Michele is another interesting church in Neive. The church is built in the baroque style of architecture like Chiesa Di San Pietro but is quite different than the other church. Although it isn’t very large, the church has been beautifully preserved and the interior is quite well decorated too with paintings, art works and frescoes that were done by the local artists of the area. La Torre Comunale has been an important landmark in Neive. The large tower dominated the skyline of the small town and stands taller than the buildings in the area. The tower has been renovated and restored a few times in the last few centuries but much of the façade of the tower that visitors would see today is still original. The tower is one of the oldest existing monuments in Neive. Palazzo Cocite is a large palace in Neive and the architecture and design of the palace are quite beautiful. Built for residential purpose by a native family of Neive, the palace has beautiful arches, carvings and careful attention to detail. Piazza Italia is the main piazza in Neive. The charming piazza is the center point of the town and is surrounded by several important buildings and monuments. The piazza is a favorite meeting place for the locals and people can be seen strolling around the piazza at all times of the day, locals as well as tourist.

Where to Stay in Nieve

Neive is a small town and it does not attract many tourists except for those who are interested in wine. For this reason, there are only a few accommodation options in the town. Most visitors visit Neive as a day excursion and stay in the neighboring cities like Turin or Cuneo since there are several accommodation options available in those cities. There are a few small hotels and bed & breakfasts in town where visitors can get comfortable rooms at low prices. Some of the best hotels in Neive are Hotel Villa Lauri, Langhe Country House, Borgo Vecchio, Agriturismo Cascina Longoria, Al Palazzo Rosso, Castello di Coazzolo.

Where to Eat in Nieve

Neive has a handful of good restaurants where visitors can eat. Most of the restaurants in town are small and casuals and visitors would mostly see the locals hanging out at these places. The food served in most places is simple Italian dishes and made with fresh ingredients and local cheese. Some of the best restaurants in Neive are Ristorante La Conea Di Neive, ristorante la Luna Del Pozzo, Cantina Del Rondo, pizzeria Del Borgo and pizzeria di Torasco Giovanna. There are also a few good bars and cafes located in Neive.

How to Get To Nieve

BY CAR From Alba: Take the SP 3 for Asti towards Pertinace / Tre Stelle / Barbaresco / Mango and then reach your destination. From Cuneo: State Road 231, towards Asti until the Castagnito crossroads, then continue on Provincial Road 3 until you reach your destination. ON THE TRAIN Neive railway station

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Read more: Nieve | Piedmont Region

Italy Travel Guide | Piedmont Region

Guide to the city of Alba

TOWN OF ALBA | PIEDMONT REGION The town of Alba is in the Piedmont region of north-east Italy, south-east of Turin and south-west of Milano. The city origins is from the Ancient Roman times but most of the monuments of interest today date from the 13th - 15th centuries. WHAT TO SEE IN ALBA Alba is a city of towers it is possible to visit the highest and best preserved of these, which are the Sineo, Bonino and Artesiano towers. The main reference point to begin a tour of Alba is the Church of San Giovanni, located in the 'Elvio Pertinax Square’. Outside the church, on the square itself there are two houses-towers of the 15th century, which still retain their structure from the late Medieval age. Continue along Via Cavour, which has one of the most beautiful architectural structures of the entire Old Town, to reach the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Risorgimento. This square is overlooked by the Alba Cathedral of San Lorenzo, of Gothic-Romanesque style (11th century), which has three portals on the façade which was redesigned in the 19th century, and a massive 13th century bell tower. Not far from the cathedral is the church of San Domenico, a building from the 13th century with a Romanesque-Gothic façade, which opens onto a beautiful splayed portal. After visiting Saint Dominic Church continue along Via Calissano to see the Social Theatre, built in 1855 in Neoclassical style. From the Piazza del Duomo you can follow the ancient Via Maestra (the present "Via Vittorio Emanuele”), a true historical artery for the social, cultural and economic life of Alba. At the intersection with Via Calissano, the Do House was built in the 15th century and decorated with terracotta friezes. The Church of Saint John the Baptist has a baroque style and holds a late 14th century painting by Barnaba da Modena and "Nativity" by Macrino da Alba, a painter who followed the stylistic influences of the Italian Central Art style. Civil architecture in this part of Alba is represented by the medieval Loggia dei Mercanti, then the Fontana House and Diretti House: the first has a beautiful Renaissance frieze while the second has an elegant decoration with some small arches. More art works can be seen in Alba City Hall such as the “Crowned Virgin” by Macrino da Alba (1501); the “Piccolo Concerto” by Mattia Preti (1613-1699), in the style of Caravaggio; a 16th-century altarpiece and a work by Pinot Gallizio. Pinot Gallizio (1902-1964) was a leading exponent of the European avant-garde in the 1950s and 1960s and the inventor of the so-called "industrial painting” style. Other monuments to visit in Alba include the Palace of the Counts of Serralunga; the Church of SS. Cosmas and Damian (18th century); and the baroque Church of Mary Magdalene. The Public Library and the Civic Museum of Archaeology and Natural Sciences in Alba (called "Federico Eusebio"), contains some Roman and prehistoric archaeological collections relating to the area and natural ethnography sections. Finally, walk to the Piazza Savona, with its attractive arcades and a tree-lined promenade with a fountain, built in the late 1950's. The majestic Church of Saint Paul in this square features a bronze portal, dedicated to the saint.

Where to Stay in Alba

The city does not have a large selection of hotels but the places we use most are. Locanda Santa Corona Glam Boutique Hotel

Where to Eat in Alba

Lovers of fine cuisine connect the truffle with the name of Alba, and the product is found throughout Alba and Piedmont region. In October Alba holds the traditional "Truffle Fair of Alba" where you can find dishes made with truffles combined with noodles, ravioli, raw meat and fried eggs. The local cheese is the characteristic "Robiola of Alba”, which is delicate and tasty. Other dishes to be sure to taste are the so-called "bagna calda", a sauce of anchovies, garlic, olive oil and butter, accompanied by raw vegetables in season; also the “polenta” with venison and snails cooked in various ways. Among the sweets to try in Alba we recommend the "Bunet”, and a chocolate pudding called “Gianduja” with crushed amaretto and hazelnut cake. Among the wines you can sample the "Dolcetto d'Alba”, “Barbera d'Alba”, “Nebbiolo” and the "Freisa”.

How to Get To Alba

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