Cantarana: Discover Churches, Routes and Festivals

Cantarana combines sacred architectural history with routes, festival dates, fossil traces and a connection to the city of Asti. Its range extends from churches and a historic residence to activity routes, regional dishes, geological outcrops and spring fields. For culture enthusiasts, churches and the Palazzaccio in Cantarana are complemented by routes, festivals and fossil traces.

Churches and Historical Traces

The present-day parish church of Cantarana was built by Antonio Casto in 1695 and dedicated to Saint Dorothy. Its bell tower is almost 50 metres high and is considered one of the most impressive bell towers in the province of Asti. The Church of San Nazario was rebuilt in 1786 and acquired its present form.

The Palazzaccio was an old residence of the Malabaila family. Together with the two churches, it is one of the tangible historical reference points in Cantarana. The years 1695 and 1786 mark different construction phases of the religious buildings, while the Palazzaccio represents a historic family residence.

Routes by Type of Activity

The “Palazzasso” circular route is one of the Nordic walking routes. “La Via dell'Acqua”, “Cantarana e i percorsi religiosi” and “Cantarana-Barrano” are excursion routes. “Cantarana-Longaria” is a hiking route, while “Cantarana-Villafranca d'Asti” is a cycling route. “Bonoma-Torrazzo” is also one of the Nordic walking routes.

For day planning, you can therefore specify your preferred means of getting around: Nordic walking, hiking, cycling or an excursion. In Cantarana, the routes can be organised by Nordic walking, hiking, cycling and excursions, allowing you to incorporate them into your day plan.

Festivals and Regional Dishes

“Itinerari Cantaranesi” is associated with a walk through the woods to discover old paths on Easter Monday. “Carnevale Stravecchio” is associated with the second Sunday of Lent. The patron saint's festival is associated with the month of August; this festival is also accompanied by a sagra featuring agnolotto and tinca in carpione.

These dates provide different occasions for planning a trip: Easter Monday connects Cantarana with woodland paths and old routes, Lent with “Carnevale Stravecchio”, and August with the patron saint's festival and the regional dishes.

Fossil Traces and Spring Fields

Fossil remains of dolphins and mastodons are associated with Cantarana. The area of Cantarana contains fossil-bearing outcrops, meaning geological sites where fossils occur. These outcrops give the area a specific natural-history connection that differs from its churches and routes.

In the Bonoma district of Cantarana, spring fields also supply the city of Asti. The area's connection therefore extends from geological sites within the municipality to a water supply that reaches beyond Cantarana. Bonoma is a separate district within Cantarana.

Other Places for Planning Your Trip

For further trip planning, you can also view Serravalle, Cinaglio, San Matteo, Fontanile, Asti, Castel Boglione, Canelli and Cortanze.

To the higher-level travel overview: Asti.