Scarnafigi: History, Art and Cheese-Making Tradition

Scarnafigi represents a journey through local history, sacred art and regional culinary delights. The Castello di Scarnafigi was probably built around the year 1000 as a fortified Gothic palace. The Parrocchiale Maria Vergine Assunta has a late-18th-century façade and three wide naves.

Historic Places between Fields and the Town Centre

The Cappella della Santissima Trinità is the oldest sacred monument in the Scarnafigi area and has existed since the early 13th century. It stands in the middle of the fields and is connected to the road to Cervignasco by a farm track. In the Santuario del Cristo, Scarnafigi also preserves a fresco of the crucified Christ that presumably dates from the late 15th century.

Art and Traces of Bygone Centuries

In the Cappella del Santo Sudario, the interior furnishings were commissioned from Jean Claret and the Rusca stucco artists between 1638 and 1644. It also houses Giovanni Claret’s 1644 painting of the Sindone. The oldest part of the Castello di Scarnafigi, which dates back to around the year 1000, contains the Sala degli Stemmi with a coffered ceiling and old paintings.

The Confraternita Santa Croce was built in 1700–1701 on the ruins of an earlier church. The Chiesa dell’Ospedale, built in 1757 and dedicated to the Vergine Santissima della Concezione, preserves a well-preserved cycle of paintings depicting the life of the Madonna. The multimedia Octavia point is located in the Confraternita.

Townscape, Specialities and Regional Routes

The townscape is enhanced by several sculptures designed and created by the architect and artist Mario Guasti. The Santuario del Cristo was referred to as the Chiesa del Cristo between the 11th and 13th centuries. Scarnafigi is also concrete in its culinary offerings: at the end of May, the traditional Fiera di Primavera presents a selection of high-quality local specialities.

Scarnafigi and nearby Ruffia form a cheese-producing district. Products made there include Grana Padano, Piemontino, Bra, Raschera and Toma. The Via Praetta, also known as the Strada dei Campioni, connects Lagnasco and Scarnafigi through fields and orchards. As a cycle path, the Via delle Risorgive connects Moretta and Airasca along a former railway line.

Visits and Information for the Town Centre

In the town centre, the park of the Castello di Scarnafigi covers more than 10,000 square metres of green space; under the agreement, it is to remain available to the public until 2029. Visits to the Chiesa Maria Vergine Assunta are available on request. The same applies to the Santuario del Cristo; the associated contact number is 0175 74125.

For further destinations, you can also choose Cortemilia, Busca, Castagnito, Monforte De Alba, Breolungi, Roccabruna, Roddino and Vicoforte.

For the overarching travel overview: Cuneo.