Holiday Apartment in Cortemilia: Culture, Hazelnuts and Trails

Cortemilia is a destination for you if you would like to combine culture, regional specialities and landscapes. Among Romanesque churches, hazelnut traditions and the hills of the Alta Langa, it provides a varied setting for a trip filled with shared discoveries. You can choose a holiday apartment in Cortemilia based on the interests that should shape your days: historic sites, culinary experiences, walks or a bike ride.

Churches, Museums and Traces of History

The Chiesa di San Francesco is one of Cortemilia’s impressive historic landmarks. Its foundation is attributed to Saint Francis in 1213; inside, it preserves a colourful fresco dating from 1340. A prior reservation with the Municipality of Cortemilia’s tourism and culture office is required for a visit. The ancient Pieve di Santa Maria is also part of the town’s historic setting. It is a Romanesque church from the 11th century that was partially rebuilt in the 13th century. The Diocesan Museum MUDI is located in the Church of Santissima Trinità, where its premises and exhibition site are also housed. The Museo Diocesano di Cortemilia preserves religious and folk-devotional objects, including the Santa Spina.

Further evidence of the local past can be seen at the fortress of the Marchesi Del Carretto. It preserves massive walls and a beautiful, now damaged cylindrical tower with six storeys. In the hamlet of Doglio stands the restored stone chestnut dryer known as a “scau”, a typical example of the Alta Langa with a circular floor plan and conical roof. The site hosts themed days, events and social gatherings throughout the year. The Ecomuseo di Cortemilia comprises three thematic sites that can be reached on foot.

Hazelnuts as Flavour and Tradition

The Fiera Nazionale della Nocciola takes place every year in Cortemilia and celebrates the Tonda Gentile hazelnut variety. Its programme includes tastings, culinary demonstrations, meetings with producers, workshops and market stalls. It focuses on a product that has contributed to the economic and landscape identity of the Alta Langa. One of Cortemilia’s typical specialities is Torta di Nocciole. When planning your trip, you can therefore discover hazelnut culture both through an annual festival and through a specific regional speciality.

Hills, Views and Active Days

The hills around Cortemilia are characterised by terraced fields levelled with dry-stone walls made from Langa stone. Monteoliveto is one of the thematic sites of the Ecomuseo. The summit can be reached via a paved path from the ancient Pieve and offers views over Cortemilia and two valleys. For hiking enthusiasts, the “Cortemilia, Family, Nuts and Story” route is also relevant; it connects to trail CNC100A.

Cyclists can also enjoy a clearly defined tour: “Sua Maestà la Nocciola Tonda Gentile” has a medium difficulty level, begins with a considerable climb, then follows a ridge and ends with a descent. An e-bike rental service at Corso Luigi Einaudi 1 is associated with Cortemilia. An iron footbridge called “la pontina” connects the hamlet of San Pantaleo on the right bank with the hamlet of San Michele on the left bank.

Further Destinations for Your Trip Planning

If you would like to discover other places in addition to Cortemilia, these destinations will take you to different stops within the wider travel region: Murazzano, Roccaforte Mondovì, Vinadio, Frabosa Soprana, Macra, Revello, Pianfei and Canosio.

To the overview of the wider travel region: Cuneo.