Golosaria among the Castles of Monferrato – Castell'Alfero stop

Castell'Alfero in the Golosaria circuit

Every spring, Golosaria among the Castles of Monferrato transforms the hills between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria into a vast, widespread itinerary of taste, art, and landscape. Conceived and led by food and wine journalist Paolo Massobrio, the event opens dozens of castles, historic residences, wineries, and churches across more than forty municipalities in a single weekend, celebrating Monferrato as the most castle-rich territory in Europe. Among these is Castell'Alfero, a small town in the Province of Asti, Piedmont, which participates with its jewel: the Conti Amico Castle.

The Conti Amico Castle

The heart of this stop is the Conti Amico Castle, a refined Baroque residence with medieval origins. Today, it houses the Town Hall and the 'l Ciar Ethnographic Museum, set up in the evocative cellars, which preserves the tools, objects, and memories of local rural life. During Golosaria, guided tours of the piano nobile, the underground areas, and the museum are scheduled, offering a chance to discover frescoes, grand halls, and the charm of a residence that tells centuries of Monferrato history.

The Roseto della Sorpresa

The other major highlight is the Roseto della Sorpresa in the Perno area: a botanical garden of approximately 14,000 square meters recognized by the Piedmont Region, which brings together hundreds of varieties of botanical, ancient, and rare roses, including prized cultivars of Rosa gallica. Over the weekend, the rose garden opens for guided nature walks, accompanied by a lecture dedicated to the history of the rose—the queen of gardens—covering anecdotes, curiosities, and its evolution from wild species to modern hybrids.

Exhibitions, flavors, and traditions

Alongside the historical and botanical aspects, the village offers local initiatives: exhibitions set up within the castle spaces dedicated to the costumes, masks, and artifacts of the Castell'Alfero Palio historical pageant, artistic installations scattered throughout the area, and moments of conviviality with the complex's dining options. As with the entire Golosaria network, the common thread remains the encounter between taste, the identity of the hilly landscape, and the traditions of local communities.

A weekend in the Asti Monferrato

Participating in the Castell'Alfero stop means experiencing Monferrato in its most authentic dimension: intimate villages, castles opened for the occasion, and the scents of roses and local wines. It is an ideal opportunity to combine the discovery of historical and artistic heritage with a day outdoors among the UNESCO World Heritage hills, in the heart of the Province of Asti.