Holiday apartment in Saliceto: Castles, Frescoes and Nature

Saliceto is an interesting choice for travelers who want to combine culture, landscapes and active days. The town is one of the 24 municipalities of Bormida Gotica, a cultural route along the Bormida River. Historic buildings, festivals and trails through nature give your stay a variety of focal points.

Castles with a Varied History

The Castello dei Marchesi del Carretto is a trapezoidal building with three corner towers. It was built in the 12th or 13th century as a military fortress along the historic Via del Sale and today presents itself as a massive residential complex. At the end of the 16th century, the Castello del Carretto was transformed into a courtly residence with significant painted halls and a medieval-style courtyard. Following its renovation and reopening to the public, visitors can view halls with 16th-century frescoes. Tours of the Castello dei Marchesi del Carretto are organized by the Castrum Saliceti association from the beginning of July to the end of October.

Churches, Chapels and Frescoes

On Saliceto's main square, the Chiesa parrocchiale di San Lorenzo stands directly next to the castle. It is one of the few Renaissance buildings in Piedmont, is built entirely of hewn sandstone and is divided into three sections, each with its own entrance. Its interior is completely decorated with frescoes. In the hamlet of Lignera, a village belonging to Saliceto, lies the medieval Cappella di San Martino. Frescoes on the walls of the presbytery and apse, together with the square Romanesque bell tower built entirely of stone, make it a destination rich in detail; the tower is divided into four levels by blind hanging arches.

Historic Traces and Special Details

The Oratorio di Sant'Agostino preserves pictorial evidence of the presence of the Disciplinanti Bianchi from at least the late 15th century. Its frescoes include scenes from the hagiography of San Bernardino da Siena. The old church of Sant'Agostino also contains a small chapel whose two side walls and vault are decorated with frescoes. The Santuario della Madonna della Neve was built in 1580 at an elevation of approximately 600 meters. Its bell tower depicts the Triregnum and is considered a very rare example in the Langhe. The complesso monumentale del Mu commemorates those from Mu and Saliceto who died in Russia during the Second World War.

Hiking, Mountain Biking and Nature

For active days, the Grande Traversata delle Langhe provides a clear point of reference: On the Saliceto–Cortemilia section, it follows the route of the Sentiero della Valle Bormida and replaces its signage. The Grande Traversata delle Langhe connects Saliceto with Santo Stefano Belbo, is suitable for hiking and mountain biking, and has a total length of nearly 60 kilometers. In the Riserva naturale Sorgenti del Belbo, a dense network of small roads and trails is suitable for mountain biking. The protected area lies between Montezemolo, Camerana and Saliceto; the Belbo stream rises in its wooded hills. The wetlands are home to 22 orchid species.

Festivals and Practical Information

The traditional Festa di San Lorenzo is organized in Saliceto every year. In the Parco del Castello dei Marchesi del Carretto, the festival includes music, performances and entertainment as well as food and drink offerings. Guided tours of the historic village are offered by the Castrum Saliceti association exclusively by prior reservation. Saliceto railway station is located in the San Michele district. From Ceva, Saliceto can be reached 21 kilometers away via the Dogliani–Montezemolo state road; from Millesimo, the distance is 10 kilometers via the Valle Bormida Millesimo–Cortemilia state road.

This leaves room for historic discoveries as well as hiking or mountain biking, without limiting your stay to just one type of travel experience.

Other Places to Compare

For further orientation, you can also consider Ruà, Venasca, Diano D'alba, Garbelletto, Argentera, San Matteo, Gaiola and Sanfront.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.