We will visit the Romanesque church of Saint Innocent and then walk through the village passing by the ruins of Obertenghi's Rocca
Close to the Apennines and at the confluence of two rivers, the Albedosa and the Arbara, Castelletto d'Orba pits along one of the "salt routes" which descend from the mountains to the plain. The denomination of Orba is linked to the Orba river that delimits the territory to the west. Like the whole area of High Monferrato, this territory formerly inhabited by Ligurian populations, became a Roman settlement from the 1st century BC.
Christianization here was precocious; legends tell that in Castelvero, a hamlet, the man who would become the first bishop of Tortona, Saint Marziano (2nd century AD), preached. As evidence of this early process we find, to the north of the town, the Romanesque church of S. Innocent. The church is mentioned in documents starting from the 12th century. However, its existence is certainly earlier; its foundation dates back to around the 4th century AD on the ruins of a probable temple dedicated to the goddess Ceres, protector of the crops.
Descripion: Our visit will start from S. Innocent. The church is located on a small and suggestive hill above the village. Currently it is a cemetery church. Lovers of the Middle Ages and Romanesque architecture can only be enchanted. The structure is excellently preserved: Romanesque church with a single nave with a Latin plan, without apse, gabled roof, still retains the original flooring. Inside there are frescoes dating back to different eras (approximately the 12th and 13th centuries) by anonymous craftsmen.
We’ll continue visiting the town with particular attention to the medieval remains by walking along the "torniella", the road that delimited the original shelter, whose structure and rests of the defensive towers are still visible. The route passes next to the ruins of the Obertenghi’s Rocca guarding the "Genoese" gate and winds its way to what still remains the actual castle, Adorno Castle, a noble genoese family that ruled Castelletto and Silvano d'Orba for a long time. The Castle is currently a private property.
Along the way we can access the Church of S. Antony and that of S. Lawrence (both from the 16th century with subsequent renovations) in Baroque style, entirely frescoed and rich in pictorial and sculptural works by artists from the Genoese area.
Cani: please request in advance
Contribution to the association: to be defined
Clothing:
Comfortable clothing, walking shoes
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