Voltaggio: Church Art and Monte Tobbio

Voltaggio brings together several centuries of local history, art, church architecture and a hiking trail to Monte Tobbio. This gives you different ways to plan your trip: you can focus on architectural and artistic works, or explore the Sentiero trail, which starts in the town centre. The town’s history also includes a historic route across the Apennine passes; the landscape features views from Monte Tobbio, which stands 1,092 metres high.

Local History and Church Buildings

The Chiesa Parrocchiale was built in 1202; it may have been created by enlarging an earlier chapel dedicated to Saint Peter. The church contains paintings by Giuseppe Badaracco, Sinibaldo Scorza, Giuseppe Palmieri and Oldoino Multedo. The Oratorio Nostra Signora del Gonfalone was built between 1631 and 1665. The Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo is part of the Capuchin monastery complex and was consecrated by the Bishop of Albenga on 15 October 1662. These dates refer to different things: a year of construction, a construction period and a consecration date.

After the year 1000, Voltaggio was traversed by the Via Postumia, a route across the Apennine passes. It ran through Fiaccone (now Fraconalto), Voltaggio and Gavi, continuing as far as Novi. Alongside the individual construction and consecration dates, this was a historic route that passed through several towns.

Art and Architecture

The Pinacoteca dei Padri Cappuccini houses sacred paintings from the 15th to the 18th century by Ligurian, Piedmontese and Lombard artists. Renovation work at the monastery affects visits, so check in advance whether a visit is possible.

The Oratorio San Giovanni Battista has a Greek-cross floor plan and a dome that rises 16 metres above the ground. A Greek cross is distinguished by four arms of equal length; here, the term refers to the shape of the floor plan. The Ponte Romanico is built of exposed masonry and has two asymmetrical arches, a parapet and buttresses. With exposed masonry, the masonry remains visible on the surface rather than being covered by plaster. Buttresses are structural supports on the sides.

Sentiero Voltaggio – Monte Tobbio and Views

The Sentiero Voltaggio – Monte Tobbio begins in the town centre at Piazza Garibaldi, beside the parish church; a Parco Capanne di Marcarolo trail sign marks the route. Monte Tobbio reaches an elevation of 1,092 metres. From there, views extend across the Apennines and the Po Plain; on clear days, the Ligurian Sea and the Alpine arc are also visible. Voltaggio is one of the municipalities in the ZSC/ZPS IT1180026 – Capanne di Marcarolo protected area.

Getting There by Bus

A travel plan updated on 31 January 2025 lists bus connections to Voltaggio from the railway stations at Novi Ligure and Arquata Scrivia, as well as from Busalla. Check the latest timetable before setting off so you can coordinate your journey for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Strevi, Monticelli, Rocca Grimalda, Alessandria, San Sebastiano Curone, Carrosio, Frassineto Po, Castelnuovo Bormida

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