Ovada

Architecture, food and tradition between Piedmont and Liguria

Ovada

Important stop-off point along the "Salt Road" it is a treasure trove of castles and enchanting landscapes

Ovada is mentioned for the first time in a document of 991 with the term Ovaga. For its strategic position and its fertile and generous hills, it was always at the center of interest for various rulers and saw an important fortification which still characterizes the area of Ovada. The Territory first passed to the Aleramic Marquises, most important evidence of its deep-rooted belonging to Monferrato, and later to the Del Bosco family. At the end of the 14th century, it came under French rule and later followed the fates of Genoa for many centuries. The 18th century saw the domination of the Savoy and, following the Congress of Vienna, Ovada definitively became Piedmontese. Situated at the confluence of the rivers Orba and Stura, it is characterized by narrow streets and palazzi of painted facades, which bear witness to the inextricable influence of the Republic of Genoa. The Churches and the Oratories are the important artistic heritage of the town highlighted by the presence of works of absolute importance by the sculptor Anton Maria Maragliano and the Architect Alessandro Antonelli.

Ovada is an authentic treasure trove of gems, but you won't find everyting all at once; the traveler must be curious and ready to be inspired.Ovadese is located in North Piedmont, in the southern section of the province of Alessandria named South Monferrato, name which comes from the hilly characteristic of the area. Since the Middle Ages, this obligatory passage between the plain and the sea, made the area particularly appealing in terms of politics and trade. A territory which always fortified, barred, defended and protected itself against invasions, as demonstrated by the large number of castles, located in dominant positions.

Their original structure dates to the medieval times, they were all built between the 10th and 14th centuries, but were later transformed into residential homes, some renovated, others completely rebuilt. Today, they are almost all privately owned, but some remain open to visitors during the year, subject to booking. Ovadese offers one of the most fascinating landscapes, characterized by clusters of villages, a high concentration of forests, of fields and of unspoiled nature; a vast hilly area then extends, ideal for tours and day trips, accompanied by forests rich in mushrooms, truffles, chestnuts, healthy water and stretches of vineyards which produce fine wines such as the famous Ovada DOCG which can be tasted at the Regional Wine Shop of Ovada and Monferrato..There are multiple opportunities for relaxation in this area, including angling in the protected reserves of the Stura and the Piota, or walks in the Nature Park of Capanne di Marcarolo, towards the Lakes of Lavagnina and Gorzente, home to gold mines in the late 19^th century; it is also possible to travel the ancient Salt Road that connected Monferrato to Liguria, of Pre-Roman origin, which climbed the Ligurian-Piedmontese Apennines before descending on the opposite slope along a path that meanders through the inside of the Park. The typical products of this area include the "biscotti della salute" (health biscuits), acacia, chestnut and millefiori honey, the grappa, which in Silvano d'Orba maintains a very important production center where this ‘grape pomace brandy’ is still distilled using the traditional "bain-marie" method.

PERCORSI URBANI (URBAN TOURS)

Where the hills of Monferrato embrace the Ligurian Apennines, at the confluence of the Rivers Orba and Stura, Ovada was already inhabited by Celtic-Ligurian populations since ancient times; from the century BC it was a Roman post guarding the two fords on the rivers.

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Events in Ovada

Multiple events have become essential to experience all the beauty Ovada has to offer: from the Market Fair of Antiques and Second-hand goods to fairs dedicated to food and wine such as VITA Vino e Tartufi.