ALESSANDRIA PREZIOSA - ITINERARY 2 ALESSANDRIA CASALE MONFERRATO

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 decisive role played by the sumptuous arts, from goldsmithing to metalworking, from the art of armourers to the carving of semi-precious stones. 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.

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 in 4* central hotel.

Day 2

The exhibition Alessandria Preziosa, un laboratorio internazionale al tramonto del Cinquecento, continues its itinerary in Alessandria inside Palatium Vetus, the ancient town hall of the medieval city, currently seat of the Fondazione CRA. Independently, or through guided tours, the visitor can discover a museum with representative and interesting paintings of the local territory contemporary to the works on show in Alessandria Preziosa, just a short distance from Palazzo Monferrato. In particular, on the top floor of the Broletto of Fondazione CRA, the paintings which have been part of its collection from the middle of the 16th century to the early 17th century dialogue with the masterpieces of the exhibition, offering the opportunity of a free visit to the many precious artifacts, some of which granted on loan for the exhibition of palazzo Monferrato, such as Santa Margherita or the devoted image of Our Lady of Crea, both by the painter Guglielmo Caccia aka il Moncalvo. From Gaudenzio Ferrari, with his depiction of Christ and the Samaritan Woman, a precise iconographic choice with respect to the religious crisis which will result in the Council of Trent, continuing with the panels by Defendente Ferrari, Bernardino Lanino to the works of Moncalvo and the large altarpiece of Crivelli commissioned for the Church of San Marco in Alessandria, it will be possible to take a walk in art and embark on a journey through time in Alessandria, a crossroads of different identities and cultures.

Transfer to Casale and lunch in an ancient locanda of the historic centre with traditional menu of Monferrato.

The tour continues in the afternoon with “Casalesi del Cinquecento: Moncalvo e Musso al Museo Civico di Casale Monferrato”. Protagonist of the renewal between the 16th and 17th century between Monferrato, the court of Turin and the commissions of the great religious orders between Piedmont and Lombardy, Guglielmo Caccia aka il Moncalvo is the artist behind the frescoes for the former Convent of Santa Croce which is now home to the Civic Museum of Casale Monferrato and the Leonardo Bistolfi plaster cast gallery.

The next stop on the tour will be the Treasure of the Cathedral Museum: the church of Casale Monferrato was consecrated in 1107 and became cathedral in 1474, when the city was proclaimed seat of the Diocese. The exhibits on show at the Cathedral Museum include both medieval and eighteenth-century testimonies and the Treasure room which displays the reliquaries commissioned between the 15th and 17th centuries. These precious artifacts were kept in a "large dresser" which, by 1615, was embellished with paintings by Giorgio Alberini from Alessandria who depicted saints, object of greatest devotion, to whom an important silver reliquary was dedicated over time. In the Museum it is possible to see the complete series of paintings by Alberini which includes the painting depicting the patron Saint Evasio holding the model of the city of Casale. The same painter is also the author of Madonna with Child between San Bernardino and San Carlo Borromeo from the suppressed collegiate of Santa Maria di Piazza of Casale, but it is possible to admire the work of other artists particularly influential for the local area such as Flavio Evangelista Martinotti and Gaudenzio Ferrari confronted on the theme of the Baptism of Christ. The Treasure of the Cathedral also displays the liturgical garments of Pius V donated by the Piedmontese Pope to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Crea and transferred for safety reasons to the Cathedral following Napoleonic suppressions.

The day will come to an end in Casale, with a visit to the Church of San Domenico, built at the behest of the Marquis of Monferrato Guglielmo VIII starting in 1462. Today, it is a precious "compendium" of devotion and history of art of Casale (and not only), between the 16th and 18th centuries. Until the Napoleonic suppression, the nearby convent was home to the Dominican friars who took care of it with the most distinguished families of the city and some important confraternities like those of the Holy Rosary. The devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, which was very widespread in Monferrato, was promoted by Pope Pius V, following the victory of the battle of Lepanto, represented in a large painting by Maria Giovanna Battista Clementi a painter from Piedmont and placed on the third altar on the left. The connection of the pope, originally from Bosco Marengo, with the Church of San Domenico of Casale, is not only devotional and artistic: Pius V spent some time inside the convent as theology lecturer. The canvas Holy Family with Saint Lawrence by the painter Alessandria Giorgio Soleri from Alessandria on display in the exhibition alongside prized paintings by Guglielmo Caccia aka il Moncalvo and his daughter Orsola, by Nicolò Musso, by Giorgio Alberini and by Pietro Francesco Guala come from the convent.

En route, stop in a well-known patisserie to enjoy the typical Krumiri
Transfer to the outskirts of Casale on an estate nestled among the Monferrato hills. Dinner at leisure and overnight accommodation.

Day 3

After breakfast transfer to the Holy Mount of Crea founded in 1589 on initiative of Costantino Massino, Lateran prior of the Sanctuary of Madonna Assunta with the desire to offer numerous pilgrims a devotional path on the life of the Virgin Mary. The project, subsequently modified and enlarged, enjoyed the favor of the ducal family, the high clergy, the local families and communities. The workers and the artists involved in the pictorial and sculptural decoration of the chapels included names of great relevance for the artistic panorama of the area such as De Wespin, aka Tabacchetti, Guglielmo Caccia aka il Moncalvo, Giorgio Alberini, the d’Enrico family and many others. By 1599, the chapel depicting the Annunciation was completed (chapel 8, recently restored) thanks to the support of the community of Alessandria; the harmonious dialogue between painting and sculpture by Giovanni Tabacchetti and by Giovan Battista della Rovere aka il Fiammenghino allow the faithful and the visitor to immerse themselves in the scene of the Annunciation compared with Old Testament stories.


Lunch with traditional menu in the restaurant opposite the Sanctuary.


By reservation, possibility to continue the tour to discover Monferrato Unesco with Cella Monte, one of the most beautiful villages of Italy.
Walking along the narrow roads of the village, which takes on the appearance of an open-air museum, visitors will realise that the walls are full of shells, which have not been positioned there by man but by nature, as this area was once home to the sea, and the Monferrato hills were the archipelagos. As the water retreated the sandstone remained, from which the houses, buildings and the infernots (UNESCO heritage site) were built. The infernots are underground chambers dug in the sandstone. Thanks to the special geological characteristics of this soil of sea origin they maintain the temperature and humidity constant and are used to store food, an extra space to the cellars. They are the precious inheritance of the rural tradition, small hidden gems recognized as heritage sites.
Visit the Eco Museum of Pietra da Cantone. Stop off at historical winery and its private infernot and enjoy wine tasting session.


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

Palatium Vetus
Days and opening times
sabato e domenica: 9 am - 1 pm and 3 pm - 7 pm

Civic Museum and Leonardo Bistolfi plaster cast gallery
Opening times
Thursday: 8:30 am -12:30 pm and 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and midweek public holidays: 10:30 am -1 pm and 3 pm - 6:30 pm

The Treasure of the Cathedral Museum
September to July
FRI. SAT. 9 am - 6 pm SUN. 3 pm - 6 pm

Church of San Domenico
Piazza San Domenico

Sunday from 9:30 am to 11:30 am;
Wednesday and Thursday from 5 pm to 6:30 pm
open on the event Casale città aperta


Cloister of San Domenico
Piazza San Domenico every day from 9 am to 6 pm