Prasco: Castles, Wine and Routes in Monferrato

Prasco combines the history of its castle and churches with wine culture and different ways to explore the surrounding area. Castello di Prasco, local produce, and hiking and cycling routes give the town a range of facets. When planning your stay, you can focus on architectural history, wine traditions or the landscape.

Castello di Prasco and its history

Castello di Prasco dates back to the 12th century. Its square main structure is complemented by three attached, semicircular towers, each topped with a crown. The park contains a remarkably well-preserved 17th-century neviera, or icehouse. Three hanging gardens are built on raised earth within the walls. They house a collection of old fruit-tree cultivars that Count Giorgio Gallesio had planted in the 19th century. The medieval structure, the neviera and the gardens thus represent different periods in the castle’s history.

In the first half of the 19th century, Count Ferdinando Piuma restored the part of the castle used as the owners’ residence. He preserved the building’s simple structures and original architectural lines. The Arms Hall houses a small museum of material culture. It collects old everyday objects and documents traditional methods of winemaking and beekeeping. The Istituto di studi Gallesiani, which promotes research into subjects studied by Giorgio Gallesio, also contributes to the castle’s cultural profile.

The religious buildings add to the historical overview. The Parrocchiale di San Defendente, near the castle, dates from the second half of the 17th century. A conservation-focused restoration returned it to its original Baroque appearance. You will encounter another church along the Collinando route: the former parish church of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, now incorporated into Prasco’s cemetery, dates from between the 11th and 16th centuries. This cemetery church, or pieve, lies north of the town on Strada Provinciale 206. It should not be confused with the parish church of the same name in the historic town centre.

Wines and their history

Local information about the wines connects production volumes with historical designations. Barbera ranks second to Dolcetto in production volume. Barbera has been recognised as a DOC wine since January 1970. Cortese is the white wine made by producers in Prasco and has carried the designation Cortese dell’Alto Monferrato since July 1979. The grape varieties and their recognition dates thus offer different insights into local wine traditions.

Dolcetto also has a documented history: in 1812, Giorgio Gallesio described the grape variety in his work “Pomona Italiana” as native to and originating in Monferrato. In September 1972, Dolcetto received DOC recognition as Dolcetto di Ovada. Gallesio is also associated with the fruit-tree cultivars in the castle gardens, which he had planted in the 19th century. Winemaking and garden history thus intersect through one name, although they tell different stories.

Hiking and cycling around Prasco

The Collinando tourist route begins at Piscine di Prasco, Via Roma, 15010 Prasco AL, and ends at Rocca di Visone, Piazza Castello, Visone AL. It is classified as difficulty level T and requires no special physical preparation. Along the way, the route offers striking viewpoints over the Visone Valley and the lower Alessandria plain; it also passes the former parish church of Saints Nazarius and Celsus. Both the landscape and architectural history are part of this hiking route.

Prasco also has a circular route of about 5 km for cycling. It offers a way to take in the nature and landscape of Monferrato. The stated distance is approximate; check the route conditions locally before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Sarezzano, Gabiano, Voltaggio, Silvano D'orba, Mazzarelli, Conzano, Cantalupo Ligure, Strevi.

For the broader travel overview: Alessandria.