Cassine between a medieval townscape and culture

Cassine combines a medieval townscape with architectural and museum history, as well as practical information for getting there. Three questions can help shape your travel plans: Would you mainly like to explore the historic center, delve into a cultural topic, or plan your trip around an event?

Getting there and finding your way

Cassine railway station (Stazione Ferroviaria di Cassine) is on Via San Zeno. The Acqui Terme–Alessandria bus route also stops in Cassine. Check the current timetables before you travel. There is a car park in Piazza Italia. From there, a winding, uphill route leads to the historic center. The elevation change is a useful point of orientation when planning the walk from the piazza toward the center. To choose your mode of transport, you can compare the railway station and bus route with the car park in Piazza Italia.

Historic center and architectural history

The historic center retains its medieval appearance and has a concentric layout around a square.

A brick arch survives at Portello, generally considered part of the more complex structure of one of Cassine’s five town gates. This gate led to the de Burmida district.

Church and museums

The Chiesa di San Francesco was built by the Franciscans at the end of the 13th century. During restoration work from 1924 to 1927, it was almost entirely returned to its original state. The construction and restoration dates are far apart, marking two distinct periods in the church’s history.

The Museo d'arte sacra di San Francesco is dedicated to Paola Benzo Dapino, who belonged to a long-established family from Cassine. The Museo degli arredi is located in the Sala Capitolare, in the surviving wing of the former cloister of the Chiesa di San Francesco.

Landscape and trails

The Bosco delle Sorti - La Communa area covers 1,819 hectares and lies between Alice Bel Colle, Cassine, and Ricaldone. It was established in 2001 to enhance natural and landscape resources, and designated a Sito di Importanza Regionale (SIR).

The Strada Franca del Monferrato is a long route through the plain and hills. It runs through the territory of ten municipalities in the Province of Alessandria.

Events and when to visit

The events calendar lists the first weekend in September for the Festa Medioevale di Cassine, the second Sunday in October for the Festival di Danza Antica, and the third Sunday in June for the Scorribanda Cassinese – Sagra del Raviolo. These dates therefore fall in three different months. Check the exact dates for the relevant year before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Morano Sul Po, Olivola, Sant'Agata Fossili, Bandita, Merana, Grognardo, Lerma, Alessandria.

Go to the main travel overview: Alessandria.