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Barolo

Description

There are several theories on the origins of the town's name and the most credible is that Barolo derives from the Celtic word "bas reul", which means "low region". Municipality in the province of Cuneo, located on a plateau surrounded by a superb green environment, protected by hills. Barolo is the wine country par excellence: the cultivation of vines, together with the passion and tradition of fine wines, has ancient origins. The cult of wine is one of the area's major touristic attractions and its visitors have the opportunity to enjoy good local typical food products and the possibility to visit the numerous historical sites and buildings dislocated in the surrounding environment. There is an extensive network of trails and roads, ideal for trekking, that mark the surrounding hills covered with vineyards. The tourism is, today, an important income for the local economy.
The area was frequented, without doubt, since Prehistoric times. It was conquered and colonized by the Romans, but the first settlement dates back only to the Middle Ages. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the unprotected territories were easily conquered and ruled by the Lombards. It was annexed to the County of Alba and then to the Marquisate of Turin. In the middle of the XIII century the Falletti Family took over the possessions of Barolo, in addition to other 50 estates, and kept hold of them for a long period. In the second half of the XV century, the town became part of the territories of Monferrato, in the XVII century it was ceded to the Savoy and later was invaded by French troops of Napoleon.

Not to miss:
- the Parish Church of San Donato, which presents current forms that date from the XVIII century and was built to replace a smaller pre-existing building. It features a very original structure, with a porch in front of the entrance, one major nave with two side aisles, an octagonal shaped dome and a Bell Tower positioned at the rear;
- the Castle of the Marquis of Barolo Falletti, of whose existence there is no reliable documentation before the X century. It presents a massive and powerful structure, with battlements and mullioned windows and was built for defense purposes certainly against the raids of eventual invaders. The Falletti had the structure renovated and lived here. Damaged during the XVI century, it has been remodeled and refurbished several times over the centuries;
- the Castle Volta, situated in a panoramic position, it was built in the XII century by Manfredo di Saluzzo. The name comes from an incident in the XIV century: the collapse of the vault of the central hall.
It was one of the Family residence of the Falletti, today it is quite decadent and belongs to an important winery;
- the Ethnographic Museum of Barolo wine;
- the Corkscrew Museum.

Map

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