Genius Loci – Afternoons in the Monferrato Villages (Camagna stop)

Genius Loci in Camagna Monferrato

Genius Loci – Afternoons in the Monferrato Villages is a travelling cultural festival promoted by the Ecomuseo della Pietra da Cantoni Foundation, which every winter guides the public to discover the villages of Monferrato, in the province of Alessandria, Piedmont. Every Sunday afternoon, the initiative moves to a different town, revealing the hidden soul of these small hillside centers through guided tours, music, and storytelling: the genius loci, or the spirit of the place.

The Camagna stop

In Camagna Monferrato, the heart of the afternoon is the parish church of Sant'Eusebio, a building with unique architecture that dominates the Monferrato hills with its large dome. The dome, enclosed by a tiburio, was designed at the end of the 19th century by the engineer and restorer Crescentino Caselli; inside, it preserves refined decorations by Paolo Gaidano and stained glass windows designed by Costantino Sereno.

The afternoon program

The guided tour of the village begins at the church with the festival curator Anna Maria Bruno. Inside the parish church, the architect and mayor of Camagna, Claudio Scagliotti, explains the building's particular acoustics, a result of the combination of design choices and materials used. This is followed by a musical interlude with mezzo-soprano Rebecca De Broglie, accompanied on the violin by Giambattista Vannicelli. The afternoon continues at the Pro Loco premises with a meeting dedicated to creativity, featuring guest window dresser and fashion stylist Wilma Manassero, and concludes with refreshments offered by the Pro Loco.

A festival spread across Monferrato

Genius Loci visits numerous municipalities in the Casale Monferrato area: recent stops have included San Maurizio di Conzano, Mirabello Monferrato, Cuccaro, Terruggia, Olivola, and Pontestura. The festival is held with the support of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria and partners Cosmo and Energica, representing one of the most authentic ways to experience the artistic and historical heritage of the villages in south-eastern Piedmont.

Why attend

• Free guided tours of churches, palaces, and hidden corners of the Monferrato villages.
• Live music and cultural meetings in fascinating locations.
• The opportunity to discover Camagna Monferrato and its Sant'Eusebio parish church.
• The warm hospitality of the local Pro Loco, with final refreshments.