Mondovi
Visit Mondovi
Mondovi is located between the mountains, hills and plain; on the one hand, in fact, the city looks the plain crossed by the Po River, which leads to Turin; from the other, it is situated on a hill that marks the border of the “Langhe”, the land of truffles and wines. Mondovi is a short distance from Savona and the Italian Riviera.
The heart of the urban part of Mondovi is the arcaded 'Piazza Maggiore'. Among the buildings here, rich in history and art elements, is the Church of the Missione, with its Baroque façade. Built by the Jesuits (17th century), it passed in 1773 to the Monks of the Mission; it was confiscated by Napoleon in 1803 then returned to the Monks from 1815. The Church is an example of the Jesuitacal Baroque, a work by Giovenale Boetto da Fossano (17th century), and it contains precious frescoes by Andrea Pozzo (1642-1709) and two precious marble side altars, one of which is the work of Andrea Pozzo himself, an artist able to fully use perspective in creating open spaces and give the illusion of great depth.
Also interesting is the Church of Mercy, which is the first church built by Francesco Gallo (1672-1709) in his hometown (18th century) for the Carmelite Monks, who in 1606 had occupied the adjoining convent. Gallo drew the altars, directed the stucco decoration and entrusted the painting to Bisone di Locarno and Pietro Antonio Pozzo ( XVII century).
Among the civic buildings in Mondovi note also the Governor's palace, ancient Palace of Justice, and Bressani Palace, with the Gothic brick façade and the typical swallow-talled battlements.
Other important works of art await visitors in the so-called “Rione di Piazza”, such as the Church of St. Chiara del Gallo, the Synagogue and the Citadel, built by Emanuele Filiberto in 1573 on the ruins of the Renaissance cathedral. Just off the Square there is the Chapel of the Holy Cross, where there are preserved fifteenth century frescoes of the.
The district of “Breo”, along the Ellero River, contains other important monuments, like the Church of St. Philip, an example of Piedmontese Baroque, and the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, re-built several times between 1449 and 1755 and enriched by the dome by Bernardo Vittone (1704-1770), characterized by a scenographical staircase. On top of the façade, sheltered by the canopy, sits the “Moro”, which is an automaton designed in the 17th century, which, at the stroke of the hour, gets up to beat with a hammer which it has in his right hand.
From the Breo district a shady avenue of plane trees leads to Carassone, which offers the visitor the tranquility of low arches and the medieval square tower of St. Evasio. Just outside Carassone there is the Chapel of Santa Maria delle Vigne, which, in the apse, has some 15th century frescoes. On the opposite side there is situated a village, an ancient seat of craft shops. Mondovi is indeed famous for its local crafts following ancient traditions. Among the most popular products and features are fine hand-painted ceramics, the subject of which is the classic rooster, the symbol of the craft production of Mondovi.
A few kilometers from the “Langhe” area, near "Bastia Mondovi” the church of San Fiorenzo is a jewel of Gothic art situated in the green countryside. Built over the grave of the saint at the beginning of the second millennium, as tangible evidence of a deep faith, it was first known as the "pilgrim's chapel”, inviting travelers to stop. The hike here is an excellent opportunity to sample the local cuisine, which reserves many surprises. Among the cheeses, there is the “Raschera”, a typical product of the Alps of Mondovi (a table cheese with a light taste). Among the desserts, we include the so-called "risole" (puff with apricot jam). Among the wines we should mention the Langhe “Dolcetto”, which is now recognized as one of the most representative of the red wines of this area.
See also history of Mondovi
Click here to add your comments, suggestions or recommendations
|
Please Give Us Your Feedback