Villages and culture

Villages of the Monferrato

The Monferrato Casalese is a network of small towns, each with its own history and character: castles, Romanesque churches, noble palaces and houses built from the stone and tuff of the hills. Getting to know them is the best way to work out where you would like to live.

Casale Monferrato, the old capital

For centuries Casale was the capital of the Marquisate of Montferrat, first under the Palaiologos dynasty and then under the Gonzagas. Its historic centre still shows it: the Castle, the Cathedral of Sant'Evasio of Romanesque origin, noble palaces and the Synagogue of 1595, one of the most important Jewish heritage sites in Italy.

Today it is the service centre for the whole area: people living in the nearby villages come to Casale for schools, the hospital, shops and the train.

Pietra da Cantoni and tuff: the houses of the hills

Many villages of the Monferrato Casalese are built with Pietra da Cantoni, a pale sandstone typical of these hills, or with tuff. Village houses often have thick walls, brick vaults, inner courtyards and, in the infernot villages, cellars carved into the rock.

These homes have great character but need care: damp, the roof and the systems should always be checked by a surveyor (geometra) before buying.

Castles, churches and views

The area is dotted with castles and historic residences, such as Gabiano Castle overlooking the Po plain or the old fortified village of Camino. Moncalvo, known as the smallest town in Italy, preserves its historic centre and works by the painter Guglielmo Caccia, known as "il Moncalvo".

Many villages sit on hilltops with views over the vineyards and, on clear days, the Alps: in Treville the church of Sant'Ambrogio is nicknamed the "balcony over the Alps".

Living in a village: what to expect

In the smallest villages services are basic or absent, and daily life revolves around Casale Monferrato and the nearby towns. In return you get quiet, close-knit communities, larger houses at more affordable prices and a direct connection with the landscape.

Each town page lists distances, connections, available services and things to check, so you can compare areas with real data.

Where to live