Fontanile, the land of spring waters and the “cupolone”.
Landscape.
Fontanile is a pretty village located in the South of Astigiano.
It covers an area of 8 km² and has a population of about 560 inhabitants.
It is about 40 km from the provincial capital, Asti, and 7 km from Nizza Monferrato.
History.
The village has very ancient origins.
Historians believe that it may have been founded between the fourth and fifth centuries and then conquered by the Saracens.
In the eighteenth century, the territory was under the control of the Savoy.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
A village with a strong wine vocation.
Typical wines of the area are Barbera d’Asti, Dolcetto, Cortese, Moscato d’Asti and Brachetto d’Acqui.
To be seen.
Fontanile is a very lively land: in November 2018 it won the third place in the "Dopo l'UNESCO, agisco!" contest, an initiative promoted by Regione Piemonte to enhance the wine-growing landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato included in the World Heritage List from 22 June 2014, with the project "I muri raccontano", thanks to which the story of the small centre of southern Asti region was told through camouflage works on walls and facades of houses.
The creation of the Promise Corner (L'Angolo della Promessa) has also been of particular interest: inaugurated on 25 September 2018 by spouses of Dutch nationality, the place allows couples who have chosen Fontanile as the wedding venue to leave the imprint of their hands joined on the wall of the former Church of Battuti.
In memory of the happy event, moreover, the Cantina sociale di Fontanile pays homage with a bottle of Barbera Tradizione wine with a phrase dedicated to them.
Fontanile also winks to outdoor enthusiasts and relaxation with the giant green water bench located in a panoramic position, in the shade of three oaks, surrounded by vineyards.
The artistic heritage of Fontanile is of absolute appeal and includes, among the places not to be missed, the majestic Church of Saint Giovanni Battista, the ancient public wash-house, the ancient drawbridge, Porta Maestra and Porta Ottoniana, which bordered the access to the town, and the Tower of Ansaldi.
Also, worth seeing is the monumental white willow.
Curiosity.
In October 2017 a child was born in Fontanile, Stefano, the first baby in the village after 50 years.
The event was told in the online edition of the La Stampa newspaper.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Fontanile
Cover image source: Provincia di Asti