Comune Denice

piazza San Lorenzo, 5 - 15056 Denice (AL)
Tel. +39 0144.952530
Fax: +39 (0144) 952.530
E-mail: posta@comunedenice.it
https://www.comune.denice.al.it/it-it/home

A charming medieval village located about 17 km from Acqui, considered an open-air museum, arranged in a circle around a slender 13th-century tower. From its heights, it dominates the Bormida di Spigno valley with the marvelous natural beauty of the gullies.
Originally belonging to the Acqui district, in the 11th century it became part of the possessions of the Abbey of San Quintino di Spigno. In the following centuries, it passed first to the Marquises of Carretto of Savona, then to the Marquises of Monferrato, and finally to the House of Savoy.
The Fascist period was particularly harsh: with the loss of its municipal status, it came under the administration of Montechiaro d'Acqui, regaining its independence only in 1946.
Noteworthy features include: the tall square tower erected in the Middle Ages, featuring battlements certainly built at a later date. It most likely formed part of a castle, now completely destroyed, owned by the Marquises of Carretto; the parish church of San Lorenzo; The Church of San Sebastiano; tombstones of Roman origin, placed on the portals of the most elegant homes; and the permanent Nativity Scene Museum.
The artistic ceramics displayed throughout the village streets are a distinctive feature; Denice boasts one of the most original and unique museum collections in Italy. The open-air museum is composed of 63 ceramic works of art, created by 63 highly qualified contemporary Italian and international artists, and permanently placed on the facades of the houses and on the perimeter wall that retains the embankment on which the medieval watchtower rests. The 63 ceramic works, permanently displayed throughout the streets and squares of the village, offer a glimpse into the production and experimental research carried out in recent decades by national and international artists.

(image from the municipality website)