A day of history, 16th-century frescoes, and Lenten flavors in the Roero region
Perched on the hilltop overlooking the village, just a few kilometers from Bra and Carmagnola, the Castello di Sanfrè is one of the hidden gems of the Roero, in the heart of the Cuneo province, Piedmont. For one day, this ancient residence exceptionally opens its doors to the public with a series of guided tours designed to help you discover the history, art, and flavors of this corner of the region.
The castle's origins date back to the 11th century: destroyed by Barbarossa, the building was acquired at the end of the 13th century by the Isnardi family, nobles and bankers from Asti. In the 16th century, a marriage linked the Isnardis to the Savoy-Racconigi family, uniting economic and political power, while at the end of the 18th century, the property passed to the Portuguese De Souza family after the Isnardi line died out. Due to its importance in local agricultural activities—cereals and livestock—the manor is also remembered as the "castle of the land".
The tour begins with a walk through the garden, which offers a wide panorama of the Cuneo plains and the Alps. It then continues inside, through the 16th-century rooms of the ancient residence, leading to the highlight of the visit: the splendid Hall of the Dukes, where the Isnardis hosted the Dukes of Savoy. The room preserves fine stuccoes and frescoes from the late 16th century, alongside an intimate room with an alcove.
The visit concludes with a tasting: a glass of local wine or an herbal tea, accompanied by a sample of Fuaset, the typical Sanfrè sweet prepared with bread dough according to the Lenten tradition. A finale that captures the gastronomic identity of the village in a single bite.
The initiative is organized by Turismo in Langa APS in collaboration with Nostra Manera – Alba e le 100 teglie, and is part of the calendar of openings that promote the castles of the Roero. An ideal proposal for families and enthusiasts of history, art, and culture in the Municipality of Sanfrè and the entire Province of Cuneo.
The March 29, 2026 edition inaugurated the opening season of the Castello di Sanfrè in the middle of the Lenten period. Throughout the day, visitors were able to discover the historic residence of the Isnardi family accompanied by guides, with departures every hour.
The novelty of the year was the choice of food and wine partners: wine from the Cantina Demarie in Vezza d'Alba and herbal teas from the Valverbe company in Melle, paired as always with Fuaset, the typical bread-dough sweet.
Each visit includes: a tour of the garden with a panorama over the Cuneo plains and the Alps, a path through the 16th-century rooms and the Hall of the Dukes with late 16th-century stuccoes and frescoes.
Final tasting: a glass of wine from Cantina Demarie (Vezza d'Alba) or a Valverbe herbal tea (Melle), with a sample of Fuaset, the typical Lenten sweet of Sanfrè.
Castello di Sanfrè, Via delle Chiese 15, 12040 Sanfrè (CN), Piedmont. The castle stands on the summit of the village, a few kilometers from Bra and Carmagnola.
Guided tours from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00, with departures every hour.
Adults 12 euros; children aged 6 to 12 10 euros; free for children under 6. The final tasting is included in the ticket price.
Booking is highly recommended via the form on the website www.turismoinlanga.it. Information: [email protected], tel. 0173 364030 or 331 9231050.
No photos yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Share your experience with the community.
Castello di Sanfrè
Via delle Chiese 15, 12040 Sanfrè