The Walks of the High Shady Hills and Clear Hills – Leg 7

Moncalvo is known in the Monferrato area for being the smallest city of Italy. In the historic centre, which is the access to the medieval suburb, there are narrow streets, stairways, steep slopes, imposing buildings, and craft shops.  The point of departure of this leg is located in the historic centre of the city. From piazza Romita, go up towards the church of San Francesco, where you can find many paintings by the 16th century painter Guglielmo Caccia, also called “Il Moncalvo”. Go down via Monsignore Bolla for about 600 metres, then turn left.

Take Strada Mulattieri and go straight ahead until it intersects with Strada Pozzetta to enter the valley at the foot of Moncalvo and Grazzano Badoglio. This area, considered the heart of Monferrato, is closely linked to land cultivation. In fact, you will find several farmhouses. Here people mostly work in the vineyards, which are very important for the local economy.

Once near an accommodation facilty, go up the slope that leads to the inhabited area of Grazzano Badoglio on a path of 6 km and a half. The village, in the heart of Monferrato, is situated between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. A village rich in history, it developed thanks to the famous abbey founded in the 10th century by the Marquis Aleramo, a man with many fascinating legends. Take Via Roma, which is the main street of the village, pass through the centre and Cotti square, where the ball game “tamburello”, typical sport of Monferrato, is played. Then take Via Garibaldi, get out of the inhabited area and take Strada Provinciale 30. Go down this road for about 800 metres, then pass through the fields until you reach Strada Cascina Napoli.