Grana: from the parish churchyard, the Monferrato in a glance.
Landscape.
Grana rises in the hills of northern Asti.
It covers an area of 5.89 km² and has a population of approximately 600 inhabitants.
The village is about 19 km from Asti, the provincial capital.
History.
In Roman times, the region was part of Cisalpine Gaul.
The town was part of the possessions of the Marquisate of Monferrato, a fief of the lords of Calliano, the Marquises of Occimiano, and the Del Carretto family.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
You can not say that you were in Grana if you did not taste the typical dish, made of donkey stew, and the oubià, a thin, sweet, and crunchy waffle in the shape of a disc.
Characteristic of the territory are also the donkey agnolotti, the Piedmontese mixed fry, and salami, all to be enjoyed during the Wine and Food Weekends organized by the local Pro Loco.
Grana is also a land of excellent wines, including Barbera, Ruchè, and Grignolino, the latter protagonist of the event Che Grana... Il Grignolino! in the month of July.
To be seen.
Once in Grana, the imposing bulk of the parish church of Saint Maria Assunta catches the eye also thanks to its slender bell tower.
Inside the church, the Hall of the Reliquaries and the Museum of Furniture and Sacred Art have been set up.
Of particular interest are the Church of Santissima Annunziata, the Church of Saint Antonio da Padova, the cemetery church of Saint Maria in Monte Pirano, and the “Nino Di Muzio” permanent nativity scene.
Curiosity.
The Church of Saint Rocco was used as a hospital for infectious during the plague that struck northern Italy between 1629 and 1631.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Grana
Cover image source: Provincia di Asti