Roccaverano: Cheese, Festivals and Cultural Heritage

Roccaverano combines medieval buildings with regional cheese culture and traditional festivals. Torre di Vengore and the parish church of San Giovanni Battista introduce the history of the town, while Roccaverano PDO, polenta and Robiola PDO shape its culinary side. Two regular events in June and September provide further insight into local traditions. For those interested in culture, historical points of reference can be found both in the tower and in the parish church.

Tower and Church: Medieval Traces

Torre di Vengore is a square watchtower dating from the 13th century. It served to observe the Bormida di Spigno valley as well as the areas of Ponzone and Acquese. Following its restoration, the tower allows visitors to climb to the castle tower. At first-floor level, there is a wooden viewing platform. From there, the church and square can be viewed through the biforias. The climb leads to a viewpoint, while the church preserves an interior with a cycle of frescoes.

The ancient parish church of San Giovanni Battista was built between the 13th and 14th centuries. It has a single-nave layout with four bays and a raised choir. Inside, it preserves an extensive cycle of frescoes, executed after 1481 and attributed to an anonymous master. The fresco cycle complements the architecture with its own pictorial dimension.

Cheese and Festival Traditions

Roccaverano PDO is a soft cheese made from 100 percent goat’s milk and produced artisanally in Roccaverano.

The Sagra del Polentone di Roccaverano takes place on the first Sunday in June. This traditional folk custom is associated with the preparation of polenta in the Bormida Valley. At the festival, polenta is served with meat sauce, plain pork sausage and the indispensable Robiola PDO. Anyone planning to attend a festival must distinguish between the first Sunday in June and the first Sunday in September.

On the first Sunday in September, the Mostra Caprina takes place. This traditional event in Roccaverano features goats belonging to local breeders. After the goat show, it continues with food tastings and the distribution of local products and traditional dishes. Those planning to attend this event can therefore first take in the goat show and then the culinary programme.

Places to Visit Around Roccaverano

In the area around Roccaverano are Castello di Bubbio, a castle; Casa Natale di Cesare Pavese, a museum; and Bric Cupazzolo, a hill. The wider regional area also includes Castello dei Paleologi, a castle; the Aecheological Civic Museum, a museum; Terme di Acqui Terme, a park; Monte Beigua, a mountain; and Parco del Castello, a park.

For further orientation in the same region: Montafia, Celle Enomondo, Fontanile, Vesime, Grazzano Badoglio, Castagnole Monferrato, Cocconato and Robella.

For the overarching travel overview: Asti.