Calliano Among Vineyards and History

Calliano sits on a hill separating the Valle Versa from the Valle Grana. Vineyards growing Barbera and Grignolino shape the surrounding slopes. Churches, historic remains and trails add their own distinctive touches. If you are considering Calliano as a destination for your stay, these places and traditions offer concrete points of interest.

Rolling Hills and Historic Sites

The location between the two valleys makes the hills around Calliano a defining part of the local landscape. The vineyards also showcase two grape varieties: Barbera and Grignolino. Another landscape feature is the Fonte della Pirenta, an old sulfur spring mentioned in documents dating back to the 13th century.

The Brik Park in the hamlet of San Desiderio also brings together landscape and history. It covers one hectare and is laid out across three levels. A Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century once stood there, but has since disappeared. The three levels and the site's former use give the park a character distinct from the vineyards on the slopes.

Churches and Traces of the Past

The churches of Calliano represent different historical periods. San Pietro was already standing in 886; its apse features architectural forms from the High Middle Ages. San Michele is documented around the year 1000, while its present single-nave structure took shape only in the late 16th century. These two buildings clearly illustrate the difference between early records and later changes.

In the hamlet of Perrona, the Church of Sant’Anna dates from the 16th century. It preserves a 17th-century painting of the Adoration of the Magi. San Rocco stands on the southern edge of the town; it was already there in 1556 and has since been restored several times, including in 1770 and in the 1970s.

The former castle of Calliano Monferrato was built in the 10th century and was surrounded by high walls and a moat that was always filled with water. Today’s patrician houses in Calliano’s historic center were built on its ruins. The former complex is therefore also linked to the townscape of today, even though the castle itself no longer exists. Another reminder of community life is the Serra bread oven on Via Mazzini: it was used until the mid-20th century and restored in the 2000s in memory of one of the most significant communal moments in the life of the town.

Trails with Different Destinations

For a short, scenic walk, a trail leads from Calliano to the remains of the former parish church of San Felice. The San Rocco–Poggio trail, by contrast, leads to the ruined Castello del Poggio. The 18th-century complex once belonged to the Bishop of Acqui. Both destinations are connected with former buildings, but the trails lead to different traces of history.

The San Rocco–Montarsone–Maneggio trail passes the Church of Madonna di Caravaggio and returns to Calliano after about 3.5 kilometers on gravel tracks. The approximate distance and surface give you a clearer idea of this route. Another route, Courtin–Strada Serra–Cascine Vercelli–Mulino–Rio Valsesio, runs along a ridge, passes the Fonte della Pirenta and an old watermill, and then follows an unpaved road along the Rio Valsesio. The Green Ways are also part of the area’s cycling network: these cycling excursions, established by the Province of Asti, pass through Monferrato municipalities, including Calliano.

Local Cuisine and Traditions

A distinctive local dish is Calliano-style Agnolotti d’Asino. The filling is made with chopped donkey ragù, cheese, ham, eggs and nutmeg. The Sagra dell’Agnolotto d’Asino takes place on the last weekend of June, giving visitors the chance to taste the dish. If this festival is important to your travel plans, check the event dates before your visit.

Calliano’s traditions also include the Paglio Ragliante, which began in 1969 as a parody of the historic Palio of Asti. Ten hamlets and villages compete in the municipal sferisterio, now called Piazza del Palio. Each hamlet is represented by a donkey led by two palafrenieri. The event thus combines a local competition with the distinctive role of the hamlets and villages.

Discover more destinations: Belveglio, Motta Di Costigliole, San Paolo Solbrito, San Martino Alfieri, Roccaverano, San Matteo, Gorra, Calosso.

For the regional travel overview: Asti.