Infernot dell'Ecomuseo della Pietra da Cantoni

piazza Vallino - 15034 Cella Monte (AL)
Palazzo Volta
Tel. +39 393 2869018
E-mail: prenotazioni@ecomuseopietracantoni.it
https://www.ecomuseopietracantoni.it/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/ecomuseopietracantoni
Website: www.ecomuseopietracantoni.it/index.php

Public infernot situated inside the Ecomuseum of Pietra da Cantoni of Cella Monte

The Ecomuseum of Pietra da Cantoni is open:
- Friday and Saturday by appointment
- Sunday from 10 am - noon and from 3 pm -5 pm (in summer 4 pm - 8 pm); booking is recommended.


EASTER OPENING
Open on Easter Sunday and Monday from 10 - midday and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.




Possibility of visits on other days, on request.

For information and bookings write an e-mail to
prenotazioni@ecomuseopietracantoni.it.

It is recommended to check for any variations (especially on public holidays) on the website and on the Facebook page (links shown below).






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The Ecomuseum enhances the special and unique quality of the life and landscape of Monferrato characterized by Pietra Da Cantoni. Located close to the historical Palazzo Volta, in the heart of Cella Monte, the Ecomuseum is home to an infernot.

The infernots of Monferrato, dug into the rock, have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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In 2014, the "Wine-producing landscapes of Piedmont: Langhe Roero and Monferrato” were declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. The "Monferrato degli Infernot" is component n°.6 of the UNESCO site.

The Infernot is a small underground room dug directly in the rock, usually accessed from the cellar. The temperature and constant humidity of these small rooms, the absence of light, ventilation and noise guaranteed ideal conditions to preserve the bottles of the best wine.

Unique in their genre, Infernots are small architectural gems that witness the ancient knowledge of the farmers; they are present only in Monferrato. They were built between the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century by the local inhabitants who dug into the bare rock with pickaxes and chisels according to their taste

No two Infernots are the same: circular, square or rectangular, multi-chamber or with a corridor. The bottles are placed on continuous surfaces, steps or alcoves; the finishes of the walls can be more or less smooth or naturally split. Many have a table at the centre hollowed out in the rock, friezes or embellishments.

They are made in Pietra da Cantoni, a sandstone typical of this area.




Ph. credit ALEXALA Archive - Photo by Alessandro Sgarito