Tortona

The illustrious town with a thousand-year history

Tortona

Founded in 120 BC at the crossroads of the Postumia and Fulvia consular roads, later joined by the extension of the Via Emilia towards Gaul, Roman Dertona has left numerous traces in the urban fabric of Tortona and its surroundings, for example in the archaeological areas of Via Rinarolo and Via alle Fonti. Already prosperous in the Roman imperial era, it reached its peak splendor in the Middle Ages, when it clashed with Pavia over commercial interests and was besieged and destroyed by Barbarossa in 1155, before entering the sphere of influence of Milan.

The visitor who arrives in Tortona, is immediately struck by the Sanctuary of Madonna della Guardia, with the gold statue of the Virgin, standing 14 meters tall and the Castle Tower, what remains of the ancient fortress remembered for important sieges (including that of Federico Barbarossa in 1155) and razed to the ground by Napoleon Bonaparte of 1801.

The center is represented by Piazza Duomo, home to the Cathedral named after Santa Maria Assunta and San Lorenzo; the piazza faces onto Via Emilia, the ancient via Aemlia Scauri, partly identifiable with the "thistle" of the ancient Derthona. The Medieval Palazzetto is now home to the prestigious Art Gallery of Divisionismo which houses, among others, masterpieces such as those by Giuseppe Pellizza from Volpedo, Giovanni Segantini, Medardo Rosso, Plinio Nomellini and Angelo Morbelli.Continuing along via Emilia, in the direction of Madonna della Guardia, we meet the arcades and the elegant Piazza Malaspina.Evidence of Derthona can also be found in the urban fabric of the town, admiring what remains of ancient Roman tombs and the remains of the Hospital of Santa Croce (12th century) dedicated to San Giovanni, protector of the Military and Religious Order of St.

John of Jerusalem.Leaving Tortona and heading towards the Tortona Hills, we first meet Val Grue which is home to one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, Garbagna: the heart of the village is the renaissance Piazza Doria, which recalls Prince Doria, lord of Genoa and Garbagna. In June, the village hosts one of the most interesting events for fruit lovers, the Cherry festival of Garbagna: la "Bella di Garbagna" is a Slow Food presidium, a brilliant red color, very crunchy and particularly suited to conservation in alcohol.Venturing into Val Curone we meet another village which has received the title of one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, Volpedo, whose fame is connected with its most illustrious representative, Pellizza da Volpedo, one of the greatest Italian painters between the 19th and 20th centuries. It is still possible to visit his studio but the entire village remembers the artist thanks to a series of reproductions that place his paintings in their "natural" setting. Volpedo has always been a farming village, at the center of an area which produces high quality fruit and vegetables, such as the Peach of Volpedo, typical of the area, particularly large and tasty.Continuing through Val Curone, we reach Sebastiano Curone. The village attracts thousands of visitors each November, for the National Truffle Fair, Market fair of the White Truffle of Alba and Black Truffle.Moving into Valle Ossona, you will find the village of Castellania Coppi, famous for being the birthplace of Fausto Coppi in 1919, considered one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. The last century of history of Castellania is inextricably linked to the figure of the Campionissimo. The same urban layout of the village, particularly over the last fifty years, has developed around places associated with Coppi: in the high part of the town, and starting from 1970, the mausoleum of brothers Fausto and Serse, the church and the room of memorabilia have been built. Furthermore, every last weekend in June, the small village becomes the center of the world, thanks to La MITICA Ciclostorica which recalls the cycling races of the past and aims to enhance and introduce the world to the area which saw the birth and development of Serse and Fausto Coppi through the sport which consecrated them.The entire area of Tortona is also the ideal destination for lovers of road cycling, mountain biking and trekking.

PERCORSI URBANI (URBAN TOURS)

Nestled between the great plains of Alessandria and the famous Tortona Hills, which head towards the Apennines, from the 11 century BC, the town was a flourishing Roman colony thanks to the transit of the famous communication routes, the Via Postumia, the Via Fulvia and part of the Via Emilia Scauri.

Discover the itinerary

The unforgettable events of Tortona include Assaggia Tortona, a food and wine event which is held late May and celebrates the typical products of Tortona. The weekend-long event includes a series of events that will bring the town to life with artists and live music.