The guest comes, and the hostile escapes: Mombercelli, the town where bread is called wine, “(M)umber one” of Tiglione Valley.
Landscape.
Mombercelli is the main center of the Tiglione Valley.
It covers an area of 14.23 km² and has a population of about 2200 inhabitants.
It is about 20 km from the provincial capital, Asti.
History.
Mombercelli is mentioned in a document starting from 1125.
Probably of Lombard origin, it is indicated as a territory belonging to the county of Loreto.
It was the scene of violent clashes during the continuous struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines.
In the fourteenth century, it was among the possessions of the Milanese Duchy and then passed, three hundred years later, under the Savoy family.
Mombercelli, therefore, entered the Sardinian Kingdom in the mid-eighteenth century.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
Mombercelli is a renowned town in the wine sector.
The wines of the territory are elegantly accompanied by the “diamonds” of the kitchen, the white truffles, which can be tasted during the Regional Fair of Truffles and Local Products, in October.
To be seen.
In Mombercelli, beauty has been at home since the town hall.
The ancient Castle dominates in the background, built in the 11th century.
There are two museums in the municipal area: MUSarMO - Civic Museum of Modern Art and the Historical Museum of Vine and Wine (Museo Storico della Vite e del Vino).
A short distance from the Castle, we find the parish church of Saint Biagio.
The pretty Sanctuary of Madonna Assunta di Fontanabuona is also worth a visit.
The massive presence of chapels and votive pylons mainly concentrated in the hamlets' territory demonstrates the deep-rooted religious cult that has accompanied the history of the mombercellesi.
Finally, for outdoor lovers, there are two giant bottles (2.5 meters high) positioned in via Marconi and via Valmanella.
Curiosity.
Mombercelli is linked to the figure of fellow citizen Giuseppe Ivaldi.
Thanks to his precious work as a radio engineer, he immortalized the situations, events, and faces of his land.
The homonymous cultural association is dedicated to him.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Mombercelli
Cover image source: Provincia di Asti