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DISCOVERING OVADA AND THE SURROUNDINGS

The territory of the Ovadese, in the south of Alessandria and at the borders with the Liguria, is a composite territory, part of that wider environment that is used to be defined as “Alto Monferrato” and that includes, in contrast with the Casalese, also the hills of Acqui. The zone more properly called “Ovadese”, can be divided between the areas, with plain and hills, around Ovada and the wild southern areas.

This feature of heterogeneity can not only be traced in the morphologic aspects of the territory, but also in the proximity of more typically piedmontese houses with others with a Ligurian origin, like in the forests of chestnut trees that, going up the first slopes of the Appennine of the Lemme Valley, lean out to the Park of the Orba Valley, a true fluvial paradise. Here activities like cycling and bird-watching are today practicable with tranquillity and comfort. Not to be forgotten is the Stura Valley, with strong Ligurian characters, steep slopes and three pearls: Rossiglione, Campo Ligure and Masone.

Within a traditional agricultural landscape, historical monuments of remarkable importance for the territory can be found, among which the main one should be probably considered, for its historical and artistic importance, the abbey of Sezzadio.

To be also considered are the castles, Molare, Roccagrimalda, Trisobbio, Cremolino, Lerma and Tagliolo, the many churches of the XVII century and of the XVIII century, the villas near Gavi, city whose landscape and whose history is dominated by the defensive value that has had its fort, still today remarkable for the architectonic impact that donates to the visitor. And then the wild valley of Olbicella that hosts the Santuario delle Rocche and that is destination for summer walks and fascinating treks in its forests.

The industry is present not only in the furniture production of Ovada, extremely organized and well known, but, also from an historical and cultural point of view, in the early manufacturing establishments in the Bormida Valley towards Savona, where, in a climate of pure desolation, the visitor can come across furnaces and factories that date back to the dawn of our industrialization.

The Ovadese is also a cuisine paradise with all types of wines that offers (especially the Dolcetto), but also with the products of its forests (chestnuts and mushrooms) and of its agriculture.

- THE CITY OF OVADA