Discover Ovada: Culture, Wine and Nature

Ovada lies at the confluence of the Orba and Stura rivers. Its historic centre displays a typical Genoese character, which can be experienced directly through its religious buildings, palaces and public spaces. A holiday apartment in Ovada is therefore a suitable base for a trip combining culture, regional wine experiences, nature and active days.

Holiday apartment in Ovada for culture and active days

For planning your journey, Ovada railway station is an important point of reference: it is served by the Acqui Terme–Ovada–Genoa and Alessandria–Ovada railway lines. Those wishing to explore Ovada by bicycle can take the Strada dei Castelli dell’Ovadese, a cycling route that starts and ends in Ovada. This allows cultural discoveries and a day of sport to be considered as different focal points when planning your trip.

Oratories, palaces and sacred art

Among the notable buildings is Palazzo Maineri, a large Genoese-style building from the second half of the 17th century. A stone staircase leads into the building; on the piano nobile, one room preserves an 18th-century fresco with a stucco frame. The Chiesa Parrocchiale N.S. Assunta also contains a polychrome marble work as its main altar, created according to a design by Antonelli.

The Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista houses the Cassa di San Giovanni, a processional sculpture by Anton Maria Maragliano depicting the beheading of John the Baptist. The Oratorio dell’Annunziata is associated with the Confraternity of the Santissima Annunziata, which is first mentioned in 1214. The same oratory contains a polyptych of the Annunciation dated 1500, attributed to Agostino Bombelli, although not without difficulty.

Religious traditions are also part of the townscape. The Processione di San Giovanni Battista is a traditional religious popular event in Ovada that attracts visitors every year. The Casa Natale di San Paolo della Croce preserves original structural elements and houses relics of the saint. The Loggia di San Sebastiano provides another cultural highlight and now serves as a venue for cultural events.

The Museo Paleontologico is housed in a former 14th-century church built in honour of Saint Anthony the Great.

Parks, wine and regional impressions

For quieter parts of your trip, two parks with distinct characteristics offer specific destinations. Parco Villa Gabrieli was created together with its Liberty-style villa between 1910 and 1913 and contains rare tree species from various parts of the world. Parco Comunale Sandro Pertini was established in the second half of the 19th century, when the gardens and kitchen gardens of Palazzo Maineri and Palazzo Scassi–Buffa were brought together.

The region’s culinary side is showcased at the Enoteca Regionale di Ovada e del Monferrato. It is based in the cellars of a palace and offers technical wine tastings, bottle sales and events centred on wine and the region. At a market in Ovada, „La Corte dei Contadini“ is also represented with Km0 products.

You can therefore choose a holiday apartment in Ovada according to your preferred experiences: historic buildings and religious art, parks with special plant collections, wine events or a cycling tour on the Strada dei Castelli dell’Ovadese. For families with different interests, this selection provides a clear basis for balancing culture, exercise and quieter discoveries at their own pace.

Discover more destinations

Sanico, Rocca Grimalda, Odalengo Piccolo, Spineto Scrivia, Novi Ligure, San Cristoforo, Villanova Monferrato and Spinetta Marengo

For the higher-level travel overview: Alessandria.