Holiday apartment in Montecastello: church, castle and hiking trails

Holiday apartment in Montecastello between the hillside and the river landscape

Montecastello forms one of the last hillsides of the Basso Monferrato opposite the confluence of the Tanaro and Bormida rivers. The hillside, river landscape and historical evidence provide you with clear points of reference for planning your trip. When choosing a holiday apartment in Montecastello, you can therefore consider whether you want your days to focus more on church and fortress details, marked trails or views of the landscape.

Chiesa S.Maria and religious art

In 1398, the parish was moved to the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Ponzano. The present-day Chiesa S.Maria was built in the 18th century as an extension of an older Gothic structure; side aisles with Baroque influences were added in the process.

During the restoration of the façade of Chiesa S.Maria in 1935, an old lunette in the tympanum of the main portal was uncovered. It contains a fresco of Christ blessing. The outer niches contain marble statues of Saint George, Saint Joseph and Saint Anthony of Padua.

Chiesa S.Maria can be reached by car or on foot; the car park is accessible to wheelchair users. This means that the site can be planned as a separate point of interest independently of the hiking trails.

Discover Castello di Montecastello from the outside

Castello di Montecastello was built in the 13th century on the remains of very old fortifications. It was completely renovated in the 18th century; in 1739, the S. Carlo chapel, terraces, stairways and wrought-iron elements were added.

The layout of the fortification and the high tower of Castello di Montecastello are still recognisable. The entire complex is protected by two bartizans, four towers and a wall with a barbican. The castle can be reached by car or on foot, but it can only be viewed from the outside.

Marked trails with views and local connections

The circular trail “Anello di Montecastello” is marked with trail signs bearing the AMC designation and consists of trails 607, 607A, 607B, 623 and 623B. It begins near the Tanaro River and climbs up into the village of Montecastello via numerous steps.

The circular trail reaches Bric Montalbano. In clear weather, the view from there extends across the Po Valley and the Alpine arc. One section of the trail is called “La salita dei Pensieri Indiani” and has signs displaying statements by Indigenous American chiefs about respect for nature.

The “Sentiero Valenza - Montecastello” hiking trail begins at the headquarters of the CAI section in Valenza and follows white-and-red trail markers bearing the number 601. In Montecastello, it passes close to the castle and ends at the nearby headquarters of the Pro Loco.

Which accommodation suits your plans

The main focuses can be clearly separated when planning your days. Chiesa S.Maria and the castle represent architectural forms, sculptures, remnants of fortifications and different ways of sightseeing. The two marked trails complement this cultural focus with exercise, access to the village and an experience of the landscape. You can therefore choose accommodation in Montecastello according to your preferred rhythm: either with a particular interest in sacred and historical architecture or with an emphasis on trails, climbs and views. The various starting and finishing points of the trails help you organise your activities mentally without assuming an unsubstantiated length or difficulty.

For more travel ideas, you can also discover Carbonara Scrivia, Spigno Monferrato, Montaldo Bormida, Prasco, Grognardo, Murisengo, Pontecurone and Sanico.

For the higher-level travel overview: Alessandria.