Aleramo’s dream

Moncalvo

 

 

The history of Moncalvo which was included among the “towns” by Vittorio Amedeo III of Savoia in 1774, is connected to the castle on the top of the hill, which witnessed seiges, destructions and recostructions. Home of the marquis of Casale Monferrato, it conservesthe high fourteenth-century walls of the ancient fortress, which was demolished to make room for the Market Square, on which showcases the Teatro Civico, the façade of the ancient synagogue and a high panoramic view. In the renovated underground paths we can find the Bottega del Vino, while the castle moat contains the open-air stadium that is used to play the games called bracelet ball, elastic ball and 'tamburello'. Two are the most important churches: the church of San Francesco with its Lombard gothic style,was built in the second half of the thirteenth century, and the seventeenth-century church of Sant'Antonio, headquarter of the confraternity called “Disciplinanti”. Both religious buildings guard numerous paintings by Guglielmo Caccia also known as “Il Moncalvo” and one of the greatest exponents of the 'Controriforma' art, and other paintings by his daughter Orsola, abbess of the Orsoline convent founded by her father. We must not forget that every year in the Market Square a special event called 'Fiera del Bue Grasso' takes place, including the award ceremony for the best heads of cattle. But the name Moncalvo is mainly known for the national 'Fiera del Tartufo' that recalls a great number of truffle hunters accompanied by their inseparable and loyal truffle hounds.