Cracking Art — Tales of Water (650 Years of the Roero Family)

The "Tales of Water" exhibition opens with a preview on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The 68 regenerated plastic animal sculptures by Cracking Art (dolphins, penguins, frogs, turtles, meerkats, geese, snails, and a giant elephant) remain on display in the park of the Castello di Monticello d'Alba until August 2, from Wednesday to Sunday.

The inaugural weekend of June 13-14, with free admission by reservation, offers lectures on the history of the Roero family, access to the archives and private apartments, and on Sunday at 6:30 PM, a concert by the Quartetto Talea featuring music by Haydn and Mendelssohn.

Preview and exhibition

• Fri, June 12, 5:00 PM: preview of the "Tales of Water" exhibition (Cracking Art, 68 sculptures)
• Until August 2: open Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM / 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM

650th Anniversary Celebration Weekend — Saturday, June 13

• 10:30 AM — "From the 1376 investiture to the challenge of modernity", with Tomaso Ricardi di Netro
• 2:30 PM — "Dura lex sed lex. The 1390 Statute of Monticello", with Francesco Aimerito (UPO)
• 4:00 PM — "Recovered water, preserved nature", with Mercedes Bresso and Roberto Ronco

Sunday, June 14

• 10:30 AM — "The Roero and its historic park", with Consolata Siniscalco (Botanical Garden, University of Turin)
• 11:30 AM — "Invitation to the Castle", with Barbara Ronchi della Rocca
• 6:30 PM — Concert by the Quartetto Talea: Haydn (Quartet op. 76 no. 1) and Mendelssohn (Quartet op. 13 no. 2)

• 68 regenerated plastic animal sculptures by Cracking Art in the park's ponds
• 650 years of the Roero family (1376-2026) celebrated with a free weekend of events
• Special access to private apartments and family archives
• Concert by the Quartetto Talea featuring Haydn and Mendelssohn (Sunday, June 14, 6:30 PM)
• "At the Roero Table" exhibition with historic table settings

How to get there

The Castello di Monticello d'Alba is located at Piazza San Ponzio 2, in the town center. By car: from the A6 Turin-Savona motorway, take the Marene exit, then follow signs for Alba; or from the A33 Asti-Cuneo motorway. By train: Bra or Alba station, then local bus connections. Nearest airport: Turin-Caselle (approx. 70 km).

Hours and rates

Exhibition open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM, until August 2, 2026. Exhibition + park ticket: €7.50 (adults), €5 (children 6-14), €20 (family). Exhibition + castle + park: €15 / €10 / €30.

Tips

The park is ideal for families: children love the colorful sculptures. Comfortable shoes are recommended for the garden. Reservations are required for the celebratory weekend and group visits (tel. +39 347 443 7144, [email protected]). Combine with a visit to Alba, the Langhe, and the Roero region.