View on the Rectory from the Monferrato balcony: this is Albugnano.
Landscape.
Albugnano dominates the Lower Monferrato from its 549 meters above sea level.
It is spread over an area of 950 hectares and has a population of about 500 inhabitants.
It is about 35 km from Asti, the provincial capital.
History.
An ancient land of Roman domination, as evidenced by the various archaeological finds discovered in the area, the town was governed by the Marquises of Monferrato and later by the inhabitants of Asti.
In more recent times, since the seventeenth century, Albugnano was the territory of the Savoy and, until the end of 1800, a fiefdom of the canons of Vezzolano before the institution was suppressed by the government of Napoleone Bonaparte.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
Albugnano is making a niche place in the Piedmontese wine world thanks to a precious wine made from Nebbiolo grapes, the Albugnano DOC, with very limited production (just 22 hectares of land) between the towns of Albugnano, Pino d’Asti, Castelnuovo Don Bosco and Passerano Marmorito.
In order to promote and consolidate the oenological and historical identity of the production area of Albugnano DOC, the Albugnano 549 association was founded in April 2017, which brings together 13 producers from the area.
In addition to wine, the albugnanesi have handed down over the centuries some typical recipes to be tasted.
To be seen.
The name of Albugnano is inextricably linked to that of the Rectory of Saint Maria of Vezzolano.
The Permanent Exhibition of Romanesque in the province of Asti is set up in the guest house of the Abbey of Vezzolano.
Traces of Romanesque are also visible in the plan of the parish church of Saint Giacomo Maggiore, and in the enclosure of the cemetery of Albugnano, where stands the Church of Saint Pietro.
Thanks to the particular altitude and panoramic views, Albugnano is defined as the balcony of Monferrato.
From its famous Belvedere Motta, the highest point of the Monferrato territory where once stood the Castle of Albugnano, it is possible to enjoy a splendid panorama on the Astigiano hills and catch a glimpse of the Basilica of Superga.
In the Belvedere garden, the trunk of an elm that became famous as Olmo del Ciabattino is still visible.
Curiosity.
A legend tells that the construction of the Rectory of Saint Maria of Vezzolano was commissioned by Charlemagne: while the king was hunting in Vezzolano, the vision of three skeletons emerged from a tomb, an omen of possible premature death.
Terrified by the image, Charlemagne asked for the intercession of the Holy Virgin and managed to overcome the disease: as a sign of gratitude, he ordered the construction of the imposing structure.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Albugnano
Cover image source: Provincia di Asti