Monastero Bormida, 1000 years of history run between alleys and carrugi in the shadow of the castle-abbey and the glorious Romanesque bridge.
Landscape.
Monastero Bormida is one of the most important centers of the Langa of Asti.
It covers an area of 14.21 km² and has a population of approximately 930 inhabitants.
It is about 40 km from Asti, the provincial capital.
History.
The village of Monastero Bormida was founded around 1050 by a group of Benedictine monks.
It was thanks to their work that the bell tower, the church, the monastery (which today corresponds to the castle) and the splendid Romanesque bridge were built.
When the Benedictines left the town (towards the end of 1300), the feudal history of Monastero Bormida began.
The town was dominated by the Del Carretto and Della Rovere families.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
Among the typical dishes of Monastero Bormida, we certainly remember polenta (an opportunity to taste it is during the Sagra del Polentonissimo, which takes place on the second Sunday of March from afar) 1573 and puccia (polenta cooked in a vegetable broth).
Pork is widely used in cooking: from the production of salami to lard, through the blood cake and the batsoà (the legs are soaked in vinegar and fried).
Also try the sauces, jams, and preserves typical of the area.
The dishes are masterfully accompanied by renowned D.O.C. and D.O.C.G. such as Moscato d'Asti, Brachetto d'Acqui, Barbera d'Asti and Monferrato, Dolcetto d'Asti and d'Acqui, Chardonnay, Cortese and Freisa.
Among the typical products of the Astigiana Langa, a special mention deserves the exquisite Robiola di Roccaverano D.O.P. and products derived from the processing of Piedmont hazelnuts I.G.P ..
To be seen.
Monastero Bormida is dominated by the splendid fourteenth-century castle.
On the castle square, we find the parish church dedicated to Saint Giulia and the Literary Benches, which show verses by Augusto Monti, Cesare Pavese, Beppe Fenoglio.
The square is accessible by crossing the extraordinary Romanesque bridge over Bormida.
In the vicinity of the Romanesque bridge, there are two artistic installations: the Giant Pencils and the Narrating Benches.
On the banks of the Bormida the Polleri mill is still visible today, one of the oldest mills in the province of Asti and birthplace of the writer Augusto Monti.
In the Santa Libera Region, on the other hand, we find the homonymous church, a resting and refreshment point for hikers.
Of note in the San Rocco region is a giant bench with a heart-shaped backrest, created by the artist Raffaella Goslino.
A miniature copy of the Panchina Gigante del Cuore (the Baby Heart Giant Bench) was inaugurated on 9 June 2019 near the Romanesque bridge over the Bormida.
Curiosity.
Monastero Bormida is the birthplace of the renowned professor Augusto Monti.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Monastero Bormida
Cover image source: Provincia di Asti