MONCALVO AND THE HEART OF MONFERRATO

According to legend, Monferrato was founded by Aleramo. Emperor Otto I, impressed by his courage and valor, granted him the title of Marquis and assigned him the territory known as the "marca" — the size of which would be determined by the distance Aleramo could cover on horseback in just three days.

​

The town of Moncalvo, with Roman roots, is one of the most prominent municipalities in the Monferrato area and is considered its first historic capital. Over the centuries, it was ruled by the Paleologi and later by the Gonzaga family, until it officially became part of the House of Savoy in the 1700s.

​

It was Duke Vittorio Amedeo III of Savoy who granted Moncalvo the title of "city," and it is still regarded today as the smallest city in Italy.

The old town is enclosed by the ancient walls and bastions of a 14th-century fortress, overlooking a lush valley known for its rich biodiversity and sweeping landscapes.