Calliano: Vineyards, Churches and Paths in Monferrato

Calliano between Two Valleys

If you are looking for an Italian place with landscape, history and regional character, Calliano offers several ways to explore it. Calliano lies on a hill that separates the Valle Versa from the Valle Grana. The hills around Calliano are planted with vineyards, including vines of the Barbera and Grignolino varieties. As a result, you will encounter not only historic buildings here, but also surroundings distinctly shaped by the vineyards.

Another landscape landmark is the Fonte della Pirenta. The old sulphur spring can be traced back to the 13th century. In the hamlet of San Desiderio, Brik Park also extends across one hectare on three levels of elevation. A Benedictine monastery from the 12th century, which has since disappeared, once stood on this site. The park, spring and vineyards combine observation of nature with traces of a long local history.

Churches and Historical Traces

The former castle of Calliano Monferrato was built in the 10th century. It was surrounded by high walls and a moat that was always filled with water. The present patrician houses in Calliano’s historic centre were built on its ruins. This gives the view of the centre an additional historical dimension: today’s buildings are connected to an earlier fortification, even though the castle itself has not survived.

The churches also lead through different eras. The church of San Pietro already existed in 886; its apse displays high-medieval architectural forms. San Michele dates back to around the year 1000, while its present single-nave structure developed in the late 16th century. The church of Sant’Anna in the hamlet of Perrona belongs to a different period: it dates from the 16th century and preserves a painting of the Adoration of the Magi from the 17th century.

San Rocco is located on the southern outskirts of the town. The church already existed in 1556 and was subsequently restored several times, including in 1770 and in the 1970s. A smaller, community-oriented trace of the past is the Serra bread oven in Via Mazzini. It was used until the middle of the 20th century and restored in the 2000s as a reminder of one of the most important communal moments in local civic life.

Walks and Paths through the Surrounding Area

For planning your day, Calliano offers various paths leading to historical and scenic destinations. A short walk with panoramic views from Calliano leads to the remains of the former parish church of San Felice. The San Rocco–Poggio walking route leads to the ruined Castello del Poggio, an estate from the 18th century that once belonged to the Bishop of Acqui.

The San Rocco–Montarsone–Maneggio walking route passes the church of Madonna di Caravaggio and returns to Calliano after approximately 3.5 kilometres along gravel paths. Another route bears the names Courtin–Strada Serra–Cascine Vercelli–Mulino–Rio Valsesio. It runs along a ridge, passes the Fonte della Pirenta and an old watermill, and then follows an unpaved road along the Rio Valsesio.

Calliano is also included in the Green Ways established by the Province of Asti. These are cycling excursion routes through the municipalities of Monferrato. This gives you a choice between short walks to historical remains, longer routes along gravel and unpaved sections, and cycling excursion routes through the surrounding municipalities.

Local Cuisine and Regular Events

The Calliano-style Agnolotti d’Asino are also part of Calliano’s distinctive character. These filled pasta parcels are prepared with minced donkey ragù as well as cheese, ham, eggs and nutmeg. At the Sagra dell’Agnolotto d’Asino, held on the last weekend of June, visitors have the opportunity to taste this local dish.

The Paglio Ragliante offers a special combination of local history, festival culture and local identity. It began in 1969 as a parody of Asti’s historic Palio. At the Paglio Ragliante, ten districts and hamlets of Calliano compete against one another in the municipal Sferisterio, now called Piazza del Palio. Each is represented by a donkey led by two Palafrenieri.

The event „Tra Piazze e Cortili“ is also planned as the opening of the Calliano summer; it takes place on the first weekend of June. Visitors can discover characteristic areas of the historic centre and taste typical dishes. Calliano thus combines historic buildings, paths through the hilly landscape, regional cuisine and events that make the town accessible from different perspectives.

Further destinations for your personal travel planning include Castelnuovo Belbo, Corsione, Baldichieri D'asti, Vesime, Castelnuovo Calcea, Dusino San Michele, Bubbio and Repergo.

For the overarching travel overview: Asti.