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The village of Barolo
In the Western Langhe, at about 13 km from Alba, is placed the village that gave the name to the “King of the wines” and that is considered the heart of its whole production. Barolo is a small hilltop village, surrounded by vineyards that every day renew the emotion of the life, whether you are in the sunlight or in the secret dark of some cellar. The property of the “Marchesi di Barolo” is placed in this idyllic atmosphere, where its historical vineyards reinforced by the time-expired and harmoniously pictured on the hills, find, every day, a confirmation for the quality of its grapes and wines.
Barolo is not only known for the production of its high quality wine, but also for its history rich of art and culture. The two magnificent castles located in the village are its symbols. The main manor of the village, the “Barolo Castle”, was a stronghold during the Saracen invasion of the X century. In the 1250 the castle became feud of the powerful Falletti family, the Marquis of Barolo, who owned at that time, more than twenty castles and fortresses. In the 1970, after a financial competition called by Barolo population, the castle became property of the municipal administration that decided to turn it into a public structure in the service of the Alba area. Nowadays, it hosts the “Regional Enoteca”, supported by the 11 villages of the Barolo municipality and by a professional hotel school. All the rooms were restructured and now they are open for public visits and wine-tastings. Ethnographic shows that represent jobs and techniques tied to the viticulture and to the wine processes, are the perfect frame for these public events.
In the square in front of the castle there is the Romanesque “Parrocchiale di San Donato”, an old chapel owned by the Falletti family. Successively, it was enlarged for the public cult. Below the presbytery is in fact placed the sepulcher of all the ancient tenants, from the end of the 1500 to the extinction of the family.
The other manor, the “Volta Castle”, is located between the villages of Novello and La Morra. An old legend narrates that an inhabitant of this castle was used to lead a dissolute life and open its magnificent halls to joyful banquets. A night, after that a lavish dinner was transformed into an orgy, the floor of the “mirrors room” collapsed and the abyss got down all the sinners. Even now, it is told that plaints and shouts can be heard under the old walls and that strange flames can be seen run through the uninhabited halls.
In the vicinity of Barolo, the ancient “Oratorio di San Pietro delle Viole” opens to incredible sceneries that allow to admire the characteristic slow dance of the hilltops: they come one after the other without break.
For almost the entire year, Barolo and Vergne are enlivened by feast days. The cultural and recreational meetings held in the “Barolo Castle”, are periodical appointments. The second Sunday of September there is the “Barolo wine feast”, an ambitious happening that brings together historical customs shows, national contests and a great number of “madonnari” who compete drawing Bacco’s emotions. |
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