Art, culture, charming Old Town, cosy restaurants and wherever you look wonderful views. I’m not sure if it’s a matter of colorful buildings, faded frescoes decorating buildings, flowers in windows or maybe numerous little shops full of regional products and lovely smelling sweets, but the true is I fell in love in Mondovi’ at first sight.
The town is spread over two different levels. The Breo district is situated at 395 mamsl and extends along the Ellero river, meanwhile the oldest part, Piazza, was built on the hill (559 mamsl) and it’s easily reached by a funicular. Varicolored buildings’ facades painted in warm tones, pastel colored wooden shutters, narrow streets that guides up and down, all of these resemble rather Liguria towns and only white picks of Alps that seems to be just at your fingertips remind the visitor we are still in Piedmont.
It’s easy to get to Mondovi’ from such places likeTurin (one hour drive on the motorway A6), from Alba (45 minutes), from Cuneo (30 min) and also form Liguria coast, because to Savona it’s only 70 km. In summer the town invites to taste local dishes in different small restaurants and bars, in autumn you can visit Regional Truffle Fair, in winter it attracts by international hot-air balloon event and the carnival parade. Whereas during the whole year shopping lovers can visit Mondovicino Outlet.
The most attractive part of the town is Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the Old Town which took me only few minutes to reached by the funicular. Once I got there I saw an irregular, long square decorated by baroque buildings. One is Antico Palazzo di Citta’ (the town hall in the past) which origins date back to 12th century and the present look gained in 17th century thanks to local architect Giovanni Goano. On the opposite sides of the square my attention was attracted by two buildings – Palazzo Fauzone and Palazzo del Governatore. The first one was raised in 4th century by a rich family Fauzone and today in its interiors we can admire the collection of antique ceramics (Museo della Ceramica). Whereas Palazzo del Governatore is characteristic by frescoes that since 15th century have started to ornament the palace of governor. On the spacious square cant’ be missed restaurant’s gardens, coffee shops and bars situated under the arcades, while narrow side streets invite to discover other old and charming corners of the town.
