Holiday apartment in Spinetta Marengo – discover the history around Marengo

Spinetta Marengo between the museum and memorial sites

Spinetta Marengo is particularly interesting for travellers who want to experience history not only in exhibitions, but also in parks and at visible memorial sites. At the centre of the battlefield, near the village of Marengo, the Marengo Museum is located in Villa Delavo. It tells the story of the Italian campaign of 1800 and the Battle of Marengo. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Spinetta Marengo, the town therefore offers a clear cultural focus centred around Marengo.

The Marengo Museum and Villa Delavo

The history is conveyed at the Marengo Museum through videos, maps, graphic works, display cases containing weapons and objects, mannequins in historical uniforms, and film footage. Villa Delavo itself is also part of the experience: outside, it features perspective decorations by the Lombard master Gabetta, while inside there are decorations by Paolo Maggi. Free parking spaces for cars are available next to the entrance, making it easy to plan a visit to the museum.

In front of the museum, a memorial column with a bronze eagle commemorates the eventful history of the site. It was erected in 1801, removed by the Austrians after Napoleon's fall, and returned to its original location in 1918. The park of the monumental complex of Marengo also contains an ossuary dedicated to the heroes of Marengo and a bust of General Louis Charles Antoine Desaix.

Park, plane tree and medieval tower

The monumental complex of Marengo includes a 55,000-square-metre park with centuries-old trees. Another striking reminder of the history is the pyramid by Alex Donadio, erected in 2009. It consists of triangular cast-iron tiles and commemorates the glory of the victory as well as the soldiers who fell in the battle, foremost among them General Desaix.

The Albero di Napoleone, a historic plane tree, stands on Via Marengo. It is over 200 years old and approximately 40 metres tall; its location is about 900 metres west of the Marengo Museum. The medieval Torre degli Stortiglioni is also visible from the park of the Marengo Museum. The tower was built by the Stortiglioni family in the ancient settlement of Marengo and is associated in popular tradition with the Lombard queen Theodelinda.

Walks, animal husbandry and Pollo alla Marengo

The meadows around Spinetta Marengo are recommended for walks across the historic battlefield of Marengo. In Spinetta Marengo, La Pederbona offers guided tours of the animal husbandry facilities with the Peddy Express. The “Napoleon & the UNESCO Monferrato” offer also enables visitors to taste “Pollo alla Marengo” on the day of their visit; the dish must be ordered for this purpose.

Historical events in Spinetta Marengo

In a documented re-enactment of the Battle of Marengo, around 100 participants brought the events surrounding Villa Delavo, its park and the surrounding fields in Spinetta Marengo back to life. On the occasion of the 225th anniversary of Napoleon's Battle of Marengo, a series of events featuring historical re-enactments and performances was also held.

More places for planning your trip

Terruggia, Garbagna, Cuccaro Monferrato, Spigno Monferrato, Cantalupo Ligure, Borgo Adorno, Pecetto, Borghetto Di Borbera

For the higher-level travel overview: Alessandria.