Comune Ottiglio

via Roma, 19 - 15038 Ottiglio (AL)
Tel. +39 (0142) 921.129
Fax: +39 (0142) 921.120
E-mail: sindaco@comune.ottiglio.al.it
http://www.comune.ottiglio.al.it/

The village features charming clusters of houses on the hill. In a dominant position is the Church of San Germano (built in brick and local stone, begun in 1761).

Not far away, nestled among the green hills and vineyards, lies Moleto, a hamlet consisting of a single central street that ends at the Romanesque Church of San Michele, built of stone ashlars with a gabled façade. The Saracen Caves continue to fascinate locals: legend has it that the Saracen treasure, never found, was hidden here.

In a panoramic position is Big Bench No. 231, known as the "Panchina del Sole."

Since 2014, along with eight other municipalities in the area, Ottiglio has been included in the core zone of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of "Monferrato degli Infernot," part of the "Vineyard Landscapes of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato." The Infernot is a small underground chamber entirely carved into the rock, usually accessed from the cellar. In these small rooms, constant temperature and humidity, the absence of light, ventilation, and noise, once ensured ideal conditions for storing bottles of the finest wine. These unique structures, small architectural gems, testament to ancient peasant knowledge, are found only in Monferrato. They were built between the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century by locals who carved into the bare rock with pickaxes and chisels, according to their taste. Each infernot is different: circular, square, or rectangular in plan, with multiple chambers or a corridor. The bottle storage spaces are continuous levels, steps, or niches; the wall finishes can be more or less smooth or naturally cleft. Many feature a central table carved into the rock, friezes, or embellishments.