Comune Vignole Borbera

via Vochieri, 2 - 15060 Vignole Borbera (AL)
Tel. +39 (0143) 343.612
Fax: +39 (0143) 673.02
E-mail: info@comune.vignoleborbera.al.it
http://www.comune.vignoleborbera.al.it/

Vignole Borbera is a picturesque municipality located in the province of Alessandria, Piedmont, nestled in the Borbera Valley. Its name derives from the Latin vineola, meaning "small plot of land cultivated with vineyards," and from the Borbera stream, which runs through the area.
The origins of Vignole Borbera date back to Roman times, when it was part of the nearby Libarna. In the Middle Ages, the village was mentioned in 1000 as a territory belonging to the Abbey of San Pietro di Precipiano. In the 14th century, it became a free municipality under the Republic of Genoa. In 1405, it passed to the Duchy of Milan and was enfeoffed to the Lonati family. In 1692, it obtained the title of marquisate. In 1752, it became part of the Savoy domains, and in 1797 it was incorporated into the Ligurian Republic. In 1859, with the Rattazzi Decree, it was separated from Liguria and assigned to the province of Alessandria.
Near the Parish Church of San Lorenzo is the so-called "castle" of Vignole. Its original appearance is still visible despite numerous alterations. The fortification was built to protect the road leading from Vignole to Mulino, forded by the Borbera River and leading to Monte Spineto and Libarna. It still features a square tower of exposed stone, like the rest of the building. It served both a residence and a fortification. Indeed, it had a loggia. The masonry is made of worked ashlars, which date the "castle" to the 16th-17th century, when Vignole was under the control of the Lunati feudal lords of the Duchy of Milan, who also controlled the nearby village of Borghetto di Borbera. All that remains of the original castle is a tower incorporated into an old house.
Church of San Lorenzo Martire, built between 1786 and 1792, this Baroque church features a gabled façade with a mixtilinear tympanum and an onion-shaped bell tower. The interior features a single nave with a transept and side chapels.