Castello di Serralunga d’Alba

The castle of Serralunga d'Alba, in the province of Cuneo, is considered by many to be one of the best-preserved examples of a 14th-century noble castle in Piedmont. Situated at the top of the Serralunga hill, dominating the characteristic village and its famous vineyards, in one of the most interesting and most developed tourist areas in the region, the castle is an indelible symbol of this landscape.
Its architectural structure makes it unique on Italian soil: it is in fact configured as a French donjon, a dongione. However, this building played more of a control function over local production activities in the area than a military role, as demonstrated by its very slender structure, intended to emphasise the prestige of the Falletti family.
The manor was never subjected to any serious acts of war and was never turned into a holiday residence. It therefore maintained its structure as a medieval stronghold unchanged for centuries. It was the object of interest of many scholars in the 19th century and was entered on the list of national monuments protected by the state, thus enjoying the protection afforded by the first cultural heritage laws.
After World War II, the Opera Pia Barolo, established at the behest of the Marquise Giulia di Barolo, the last descendant of the Falletti di Barolo family, put the castle up for sale and it was purchased by the State in 1949: at that time, the first major restoration work was started.
The hall of the Valvassori is the main hall of the castle, characterised by its beautiful coffered ceiling. The room preserves the frescoes of the votive chapel, dating back to the mid-15th century and depicting the martyrdom of St. Catherine of Alexandria, with St. John the Baptist, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Francis on the back wall and is surmounted by the Agnus Dei symbol.

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and holidays (by 6 p.m. on the day before the visit, after which time any e-mail sent requesting a reservation will not be considered for organisational reasons).