Valenza

Gold, art, passion

Valenza

With its compact historical center, on the banks of the River Po, Valenza awaits visitors with its original craftsmanship.

On the banks of the River Po and close to the confluence of the River Tanaro, traffic hub from Genoa towards Milan. "Forum fulvii quod valentinum", this is the title that the Latin poet Gaius Plinius Secundus the Elder gave to Valenza. The town’s first settlement has older origins and is probably datable to the Ligurians (10th century BC). Conquered by the Romans since the 2nd century BC, thanks to its happy location along the via Fulvia, the town flourished. The favorable position makes it a strategic military point for many centuries but, with Italian unification, Valenza loses its character as a military town and develops new industrial activities. Around 1840, Vincenzo Morosetti starts the goldsmith industry with the craftsmanship of gold and precious stones.

Valenza is located on the right bank of the River Po, close to the Monferrato hills and on the border with Lomellina and the province of Pavia. It is the high-quality jewelry manufacturing hub, founded on original ideas, the research of aesthetics and on artisan craftsmanship; indeed, besides the numerous artisan workshops world-renowned brands are also based here.

A testimony to the history of the goldsmithing industry and to hand down the local culture, areas have been set up that house the reconstruction of a 20th-century goldsmth’s workshop with the related tools and machinery, which the Association Amici del Museo dell'Arte Orafa of Valenza have preserved over the years. Furthermore, the historical archive of the Valenza goldsmiths has been digitalized and made available to the public, heritage which documents the long history of craftsmanship and promotes the art of goldsmithing

Lovers of outdoor activities can enjoy several kilometers of green trails to explore and eight bike routes to follow, which run along municipal roads and provincial roads, with little traffic, unpaved coastal roads and in some sections of the embankment. On these routes, in the areas bordering Valenza, it is possible to immerse yourself in nature admiring the forests, gravel pits and the confluences of the River Po with the Sesia and the Tanaro, with the possibility of catching a glimpse of herons and terns.

The municipality of Valenza is home to several areas in which biodiversity is present, including the Parco del Po, composed of nature reserves and protected areas. The core area is the Valenza Heronry, which has been defined as Reserve and protects an oxbow lake of the River Po, nesting area of the red heron for many years. The territory of the Park, formed by dense forests and scrubland, is an important reference point for both migratory and resident birdlife.

It is also possible to venture into the protected area of Bric Montariolo, which extends largely within the municipality of Pecetto di Valenza, in which the abandonment of crops has allowed spontaneous vegetation to give space for the growth of more than ten species of wild orchids. In Valenza there is also a clay extraction site; the clay is used to produce bricks used for the creation of significant architectural structures.

Walking through the town you can admire the various churches, including, in the heart of the town, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore opposite Palazzo Valentino, which is home to the Civic Library and Municipal Culture Center. It is possible to reach several historic villas such as Villa Gropella, today highly-regarded farm holiday accommodation. Villa de Cardenas in Pravernara and Villa Pastore, whose history is shrouded in mystery and attracts many curious tourists.

In the lower part of the town, close to the River Po, there are also the visible remains of the original 17th-century walls which marked the boundaries of the town.

For those who want to treat themselves to a little relaxation there are thermal baths in Montevalenza which, thanks to the presence of sulfur springs, are effective for the liver, stomach and intestines.

There is also a zoo present, which hosts different animals and plants, with the goal of preserving and protecting endangered species. Children have the possibility of feeding the animals and having fun at the playground surrounded by greenery.

At Pecetto di Valenza, there is an astronomy park, "Il Parco del Cielo", which hosts a scale model of the solar system, three sundials, a celestial compass, and two telescopes for observing the sky and other instruments to be captivated by the marvels of the sky. There is also a picnic corner at the top of the hill, in which it is possible to eat several local dishes admiring the lush green landscape.

For food lovers and for those with a sweet tooth, it is possible to taste several specialties of Valenza such as the chestnut soup, chicken cacciatora, risotto with barolo, torcetti and the gianduia cake.

PERCORSI URBANI (URBAN TOURS)

Nestled among the hills and the river plain, the Romans and before them the ancient Ligurians had chosen this strategically positioned area as a trading center and flourishing site for farming activities: today, Valenza Po is recognised internationally as one of the key centers of the production of goldsmith art.

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