Typical farmhouse nestled in the Moscato hills

Santo Stefano Belbo: Location and surroundings of this property

Santo Stefano Belbo is a charming town in the province of Cuneo. Its territory extends on the edge of the Langhe, on a territory rich in hills. From an artistic point of view, the imposing remains of the Romanesque abbey of San Gaudenzio, at the foot of the Moncucco hill, are worth noting. The construction recalls the period in which the Benedictine monks, in addition to tilling the lands to dedicate them to the cultivation of vines, offered hospitality to pilgrims. Of notable beauty, on the top of the hill that seems to have almost landed on the center of the town, the sanctuary of Moncucco, dedicated to the Madonna della Neve. From here every year, on August 4th, the signal for the lighting of the bonfires that illuminate the hilly landscape starts, a very suggestive and romantic tradition. The most famous son of S. Stefano Belbo is the writer Cesare Pavese, whose native house is the seat of an important museum and to whom the famous "Pavesian path" is named, which touches landscapes and places of his famous books. The town of Santo Stefano Belbo can probably be dated after 1000, but it is certain that the town was of considerable importance in the feudal period, of which the ruins of one of the towers of the ancient castle remain. The town comes alive all year round with characteristic eno-gastronomic events and manifestations, of which the "cubiot" (couples in love) fair which takes place at the beginning of December is noteworthy. Among the stalls and tastings set up in the streets you can cheer yourself up with the nice figure of the "bacialé", the character of the Langhe tradition who used to stock up on coats thanks to his ability as a loving mediator among the young people of the area. Santo Stefano Belbo, the town of "good living", half an hour from Alba, Barolo and Barbaresco, 40 minutes from Asti, and one hour from Liguria. Milan and Turin can be reached in just over an hour, Genoa in 2 hours.