ALESSANDRIA PREZIOSA - ITINERARY 3 ALESSANDRIA NOVI LIGURE

Day 1

Arrive in Alessandria in the afternoon and time to visit the exhibition Alessandria Preziosa at Palazzo Monferrato.

Alessandria Preziosa is divided into seven sections composed by close to eighty works, in which the protagonists are the precious metal sculptures, highlighting the crucial role played by the sumptuary arts, from goldsmithing to toreutics, from the art of armourers to carving of hardstones. The goal of the exhibition is two-fold: on one side to outline the advent of international mannerism harbinger of a new sense of reality and shape, through a selection of jewellery and objects in metal, but also canvas and panel paintings and sculptures in wood and marble which better dialogue with the precious arts; the second focus of the project is that of displaying and showing how the current territory of the province of Alessandria was a place where strengths and different cultures converged, which did not pale in comparison with other more glorious cities of the Po Plain, but rather represented a happy exception, in which Nordic influences measured themselves against those from Florence and Rome.

In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to the Civic Museum of Palazzo Cuttica. The “Percorsi del Museo civico” at palazzo Cuttica in Alessandria in the Corali room preserve the liturgical-musical books commissioned by Pope Pius V – born in Bosco Marengo – to the pontifical scriptorium then dominated by the artistic standing of the Croat Juri Klovicic (whose name was Romanized to Giulio Clovio), who had entered into the service of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, grandson of Paul III.

Followed by walk in the historic centre of the city and Wine Cocktail Experience to discover one of the 5 drinks made with the most famous wines of the province of Alessandria: Dolcetto di Ovada, Derthona Timorasso, Cortese Gavi, Grignolino and Brachetto d'Acqui (in association with the Regional Wine Bars of the Province of Alessandria).
Dinner at leisure and overnight accommodation n 4* central hotel.

Day 2

After breakfast, transfer to Bosco Marengo to visit the Basilica of Santa Croce and All Saints and the Vasari Museum.
The church and the Dominican Convent of Santa Croce in Bosco Marengo are one of the key monuments of the religious and art history of the 16th century in Italy. The importance of this complex goes beyond the local dimension, as it is the result of the ambitious project of a pope, Pius V Ghislieri (1556--1572), who was born in Bosco Marengo in 1504: the prestige of the commission is reflected in the architectural value and the artworks preserved within it, directly connected to the artistic events of the Roman and Florentine 16th century, because of the involvement of artists of the standing of Giorgio Vasari. After almost two centuries in which the complex was put to improper use following the suppression of the Dominican Order, which favored its degradation, the great restoration work begun in the late 20th century has given the church and the convent back the image of one of the biggest compendiums of the Counter-Reformation

Arrive in Novi Ligure and lunch with tasting of the typical farinata made with Merella De.Co. chickpea flour dough and baked in a wood burning oven.

In the afternoon, walk in the picturesque historic centre of Novi characterized by buildings with painted façades that witness the strategic role of the city during the domination of the Republic of Genoa.
Visit to the Basilica of Santa Maddalena which is home to the Calvary group of 21 wooden statues: the focus of the work is the Crucifix, to its right (the side which was once called Ecclesia) are those who will save themselves at the Final Judgement, to its left (once defined as Synagogue) those who will be damned. It is an anticipation of the Universal Judgement, a clearly Dantesque concept and, therefore, from a historical-philosophical medieval perspective.

Transfer to agriturismo with annexed historic mansion between Novi and Gavi.
Visit the estate, aromatic herb garden and Italian-style garden, as well as historic wine
cellars.
Dinner with tasting menu paired with wines produced directly by the winery, including the world's most exported white wine the Cortese Gavi DOCG. Overnight

Day 3

Transfer to the Apennine hills between Piedmont and Liguria, in the Capanne di Marcarolo Park, to Voltaggio to visit the Capuchin Picture Gallery.

The Capuchin convent complex of Voltaggio, permanent home to the Picture Gallery, was founded in the late 16th century: the building was completed in 1604, while the annexed Church of San Michele Arcangelo was consecrated in 1652.
The collection of more than 200 works was destined to the Capuchin Convent of Voltaggio towards the late 19th century at the behest of Pietro Repetto who had gathered this considerable artistic heritage, in just under thirty years, in the Convent of Santa Caterina in Genoa. The collection activity, begun around 1870, was determined by the will to recover goods of the religious congregations which had to be donated, by state decree, to museums and libraries, due to changed socio-economic conditions and also by the changed taste of the Genoese nobility who were willing, for various reasons, to dispose of works with religious subjects. The support of the Duchess of Galliera was also important.

At the end of the tour, stop in bakery-patisserie to taste one of the local specialties, the almond-based amaretti of Voltaggio, originated in the 19th century and now symbol of the small village.

By booking, it is possible to continue the tour and discover the province of Alessandria with:
- walk in Gavi and stop in winery for wine tasting
- visit to Libarna archaeological site
- nature walk with environmental trekking guide in the Capanne di Marcarolo Park
- visit to the Memorial Monument of the Benedicta
- visit to the Cycling Museum (Campionissimi) in Novi Ligure

Alessandria preziosa. Un laboratorio internazionale al tramonto del Cinquecento will be housed in Palazzo del Monferrato in Alessandria and curated by Fulvio Cervini with the organisational design of Roberto Livraghi, Director of Palazzo Monferrato. The exhibition is promoted by the Chamber of Commerce of Alessandria-Asti, the Piedmont Regional Authority, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria, the Municipality of Alessandria, Council for the enhancement of the artistic heritage of the Alessandria area, in association with the Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape Office for the provinces of Alessandria, Asti and Cuneo, Fondazione Slala and ATL Alexala.

A unique project realized in association with the Uffizi Galleries, which will see loans from the Florentine Gallery, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure and some of the most important Italian Museums converge in Alessandria.

Information and Opening Times

Exhibition Alessandria Preziosa at Palazzo Monferrato
Days and opening times
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 am -1 pm and 4 pm - 7 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday by appointment

Civic Museum
Tours of the Civic Museum in Alessandria
Palazzo Cuttica of Cassine
Opening times: Thursday-Sunday: 3 pm - 7 pm

Convent, basilica and museum of Santa Croce and All Saints Museum opening times:
Saturday and Sunday 4 pm - 7 pm (summer)
Saturday and Sunday 10 am - noon by appointment and for groups of more than 20 people
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: only by appointment and for groups of more than 20 people - closed on Wednesday
Opening times of the church: every day 10 am - noon and 4 pm - 7 pm; closed Wednesdays. - free admission.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maddalena - Novi Ligure
Opening times:
The Oratory of Santa Maria Maddalena is open for Vigil mass: 6 pm summer
(5:30 pm winter).
Possibility to organize guided tours, for individuals or groups, of the Oratory, by contacting the Confraternità Santa Maria Maddalena e del Santissimo Crocifisso

Capuchin Picture Gallery of Voltaggio
Opening times:
Sunday and public holidays: 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm (only summer)
guided tours available by appointment and for groups