Castagnole Delle Lanze: Wine Landscapes and History

Castagnole Delle Lanze lies in the center of the UNESCO-listed vineyard landscapes of Langhe, Monferrato, and Roero. Hills, vineyards, and hazelnut groves characterize the municipal area. Historic features of the town stand alongside a landscape where wine and hazelnuts are also present as local products. When choosing a hotel for your stay, these themes can serve as a first point of reference: would you like to focus mainly on exploring the historic center, or are you more interested in the landscape and regional products?

Historic Center and Painted Arcades

The visitor route through the historic center begins in Piazza Giovannone. Its paving is called “sternia” and consists of cement and stones from the Tanaro River. The distinctive name therefore refers to a surface made of clearly identified materials, which characterizes the route through the center. For orientation, Piazza Giovannone is a specific starting point; the sternia is another feature of the route.

On Via Ener Bettica, the arcades consist of thirteen painted arches. Their colors evoke nature, the seasons, grapevines, and wine. The motifs thus pick up on themes that also shape the landscape and local products. Together with the sternia, they give an impression of how different materials and images in the townscape refer to nature and wine.

San Pietro in Vincoli: Baroque Architecture and Works of Art

The parish church of San Pietro in Vincoli was built in the Ligurian-Piedmontese Baroque style; construction began in 1681. Among its notable features is the main altar, a work of the Piedmontese late Baroque made of polychrome marble. The church also preserves a 16th-century fresco depicting the Madonna and Child. The dates provide different historical reference points for the artworks: construction of the church began in the late 17th century, while the fresco dates to the 16th century. Anyone interested in architecture or sacred art will find several clearly distinct points of interest here, rather than just a single monument.

Vineyards, Hazelnuts, and Local Products

The landscape of the area includes hills, vineyards, and hazelnut groves. Local products reflect these features too: local wines include Moscato, Barbera, Dolcetto, and Chardonnay. Another typical product is the Piemonte hazelnut, which has the protected geographical indication IGP. The regional range of products therefore includes several named wines as well as a hazelnut with a protected designation of origin. If you are considering the destination in terms of its products, these wines and the hazelnut offer two distinct, specific points of reference.

The initiative Adotta un filare is a historic example of the connection between wine and local products. The municipal administration launched it in 2010. The scheme allowed people to adopt a few meters of Barbera d’Asti vines in exchange for personalized bottles of Lanze wine. If you are interested in taking part, check in advance whether the initiative is currently available.

A Belvedere in Piazza Balbo

A belvedere known as a “terrazzo” was created in Piazza Balbo, overlooking the Prello Valley. The historic view from this vantage point includes meadows, vineyards, and mulberry groves in the valley. Thus, alongside the painted arches and the church, a public square designed to connect with the landscape also takes center stage. These themes can be distinguished when planning your trip: the walking route and the church highlight the historic center, while the vineyards, hazelnut groves, and belvedere bring the landscape to the fore.

Discover more destinations: Rocca D'arazzo, Azzano D'asti, Cioccaro, Frinco, Vesime, Aramengo, Montabone, Casalotto

For the overview of the wider area: Asti.