At the gates of the Low Monferrato, the “city of the seven towers”, the severed bell tower and Tinca Gobba Dorata: Valfenera to discover.
Landscape.
Valfenera rises in the north of Astigiano.
It covers an area of 22.04 km² and has a population of approximately, 2400 inhabitants.
It is 24 km from the provincial capital, Asti.
History.
Archaeological finds testify to the presence of a Celto-Ligurian and Roman population.
It was a fief of Sigiberto (10th century) and later of the Abbey of Nonantola.
The territory then passed to the Bishop of Asti and was ruled by the most powerful families of the Asti area including the Brizio, the Cavazzoni, the Isnardi de Castello and the Mazzetti.
Valfenera was also governed by the Muratore, by Giulio Cesare Benso, by the Nomis and the Morozzo della Rocca.
Administration.
Food and wine and typical products.
The tinca gobba dorata del Pianalto is among the symbols of Valfenera.
The fish, a variant of the common tench, is characterized by the predominantly yellow-reddish livery and the presence of a gibbosity at the height of the first cervical vertebrae that makes it, in fact, “hump”.
Golden tench, served fried and soused, can be tasted on the first weekend of June, during the festival dedicated to it.
The village is also characterized by the breeding of Piedmontese cattle, at the base of the typical local dish, the mixed boiled meat: an opportunity to taste it is during the Fair of Saint Orsola (Fiera di Sant'Orsola) scheduled for the month of October.
Meat salad is also excellent, dressed with oil, salt, and garlic. This last ingredient is the protagonist of the Fair of Saint Bartolomeo (Fiera di San Bartolomeo), dedicated to garlic and to “pitu”, the turkey.
Among the typical recipes, we mention finally the peppers with the bagna cauda and the hazelnut cake, often accompanied by zabaglione. The characteristic wines of the area are Barbera and Freisa.
To be seen.
The historic center of Valfenera is rich in artistic testimonies such as the building of spinning mill, Villa Scanagatti (now Fassini), and the ancient arsenal.
Piazza Villa is also overlooked by Palazzo Villa, seat of the Town Hall (with its historic park and wood carved owls) and primary schools, and the building with the offices of the surveyor and architect Morocco.
Also, worth seeing is Villa Toso and the building that houses the Regina Margherita maternal school.
Among the sacred buildings, we remember the parish church dedicated to Saints Bartolomeo and Giovanni Battista and the Confraternity of the Holy Spirit (Confraternita dello Spirito Santo).
The symbol of the municipality is the bell tower of the Ciuchè Mocc.
Also, noteworthy is the presence of several small churches scattered throughout the territory: the Church of the Madonna degli Angeli, that of the Santissima Trinità, the Sanctuary named after Saint Andrea, those dedicated to Saint Antonio Abate, Saint Sebastiano, Saint Rocco, and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
For nature lovers, we recommend La Rocca park.
Curiosity.
Valfenera is also known as the “city of seven towers”.
The title derives from the complex defensive system of the ancient castle, built in the thirteenth century, which consisted of seven towers.
It was destroyed in 1557 by French troops led by the Duke of Brissac.
Information synthesis and/or re-elaboration was taken from the website of the Municipality of Valfenera
Cover image source: Provincia di Asti