ATS ViviMonferrato ETS
Località Piano 32/B, 15070 Lerma, AL
CF:90028290063 - RUNTS: Rep. n° 3040
cell: 351-7660812
IBAN: IT42 M035 7601 6010 1000 3949146
Montiglio - Sundials and Medieval Churches
A fascinating tour among castles, parish churches, and rural landscapes marked by sundials
From the legal-administrative union of the municipalities of Montiglio, Colcavagno, and Scandeluzza, the Municipality of Montiglio Monferrato was established in 1999. This is already a significant event in itself as it was decided by the population through a local referendum. Each of these centers brings with it cultural riches of outstanding historical, architectural, and cultural value. In fact, the entire territory of the three municipalities was a battleground between the Marquisate of Monferrato and the city of Asti, a free municipality since the Middle Ages (11th century).
What we will see: the visit to Montiglio Monferrato can be described as “articulated” as it involves the three main centers: Montiglio, Scandeluzza, and Rinco.
Montiglio has a very important historic center with a Castle (9th century and later renovations) where, with a bit of luck, we will be able to visit the beautiful Chapel of St. Andrew and its 14th-century frescoes depicting the life and passion of Jesus. While visiting the town, we can admire the sundials scattered throughout. Most are the work of Mario Tebenghi, a well-known gnomonist from Montiglio, but there are also some ancient ones.
We will then see the cemetery church of San Lorenzo. A Romanesque church (12th century) although the original structure has been modified. However, it still retains in its architectural and sculptural elements all the charm of its founding period: the bichromy, capitals and single-lancet windows decorated with zoomorphic figures of Celtic and pagan symbolism. The original tri-apsed Latin plan structure can still be appreciated, although later, due to the collapse of the gabled roof, significant modifications were introduced.
Moving on to Scandeluzza, whose name refers to the cultivation of hordeum distichum, or “scandella,” we find another medieval church: the current cemetery parish church dedicated to Saints Sebastian and Fabian. This time the structure has remained original and you can still appreciate some frescoes in the apse. The church was founded in 427 as the parish church of Caxio, a small village abandoned in 1304 by order of the marquises of Montiglio at the request of the Marquis of Monferrato.
For lovers of Moncalvo, known as Guglielmo Caccia, the Piedmontese Raphael, we can extend our visit to the churches of St. Mary of the Rosary, also in Scandeluzza, and that of St. Bartholomew in Rinco.
Duration: about 3/4 hours. For a more complete visit, we can also consider the whole day. Possibility to have a packed lunch or eat at local restaurants
Dogs: not allowed, but please ask
Contribution for the association: to be defined
Clothing: comfortable
For information call 351-7660812
or write to
contatti@vivimonferrato.it
ATS ViviMonferrato ETS
Località Piano 32/B, 15070 Lerma, AL
CF:90028290063 - RUNTS: Rep. n° 3040
cell: 351-7660812
IBAN: IT42 M035 7601 6010 1000 3949146