Govone is a meeting place, a frontier between the three UNESCO World Heritage territories of Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato, where culture and nature come together. In addition to the marvelous architecture of the castle, you can also explore the natural trails that wind through historic vineyards and hazelnut groves. Whether on foot or by bike, you have the opportunity to discover our hills and admire the valley carved by the Tanaro River.
The Public Records Office in Turin keeps a drawing representing the ancient road leading from Turin to Govone and then to Alba and crossing the brook Vaneschia. Between 1819 and 1820 King Carlo Felice of Savoy chose Govone castle as his favourite summer residence but he complained that the journey from Turin, between Priocca and Govone, was uncomfortable because you had to ford a brook. To avoid towing the carriage with two couples of oxen, between 1823 and 1824 the king had a bridge built in Vaneschia area.
Of the original bridge only a brick arcade remains, while the rest was modified to facilitate the passage of agricultural vehicles.
Before the building of the homonymous convent a small church dedicated to the “Madonna delle Grazie” existed in Craviano and it was still in good conditions in 1651. Carlo Felice of Savoy used to visit the chapel during the summer holidays spent at the A33
castle and decided to build a convent for the Capuchin Friars who remained here until 1895, when it passed to the Doctrinarian Friars. This building was constructed in 1823 – 24 by the engineer Barbavara who maintained the old church.
In 1720 Count Ottavio Francesco Solaro decided to extend the canal finishing in Magliano area to Govone to irrigate his lands there. After the extension of the irrigation canal, a two-wheel mill, Gerotte Mill, was built along its course together with a three-wheel mill which does not exist anymore. The 18th century building is still working and keeps all the machinery for milling and processing hemp.
There was an autonomous hamlet about the year 1000 called Cadiliano o Caylano and it was characterized by a castle and a chapel dedicated to San Pietro. About 1200 and 1207 a group of people from Govone, Priocca and Cadiliano tried to found a new hamlet, called Stella, on the homonymous hill to free themselves from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Asti and his Vassal Lords of Govone. Later on, the present hamlet has developed around the San Pietro church, rebuilt in 1923.
Govone extends beyond my walls. It is an entire community that takes care of the magnificent places it inhabits. I invite you to explore everything that surrounds me: the park and the gardens, the greenhouse, the intimate rose garden, the village, and the outdoor trails immersed in nature, which you can explore on foot or by bike.
Come with me, and let’s discover my rooms. It will be a journey through time, from the 18th century to the present day.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Municipality of Govone purchased me, turning me into a home, a school, and a community space for all the people of Govone. It is the same people who still keep me alive and accessible through culture, art, music, and tourism.
