| Villadeati |
Villadeati is one of Monferrato's highest villages (468mts/1535ft a.s.l.) commanding a long vista over valleys,
hills and towns to a horizon of snowcapped Alps. The town's twin hilltops are surrounded by forest and "blue
highways" in Northern Italy.
The first settlement, in late Roman age, was in the valley. By the Middle Ages the community had moved up the
slopes to the safety of a walled castle fortress. The original castle, destroyed in 1290 by warring lords served as
the foundation for the magnificent, golden-ochre, baroque palace which has crowned Villadeati since the 1700's.
One hundred years ago, Villadeati was one of the most important towns in Monferrato; an agricultural, judiciary
and parochial center.
Summer tourists came to "take the waters" of a local spring, to promenade on the spectacular belvederes and
enjoy the particularly fresh air. Not much has changed in Villadeati since then...the pace is slow, the neighbors
cordial, and the air still has a special "something". In the village center, there is a small dry goods/bakery shop
for fresh bread and award winning tarts, a biweekly greengrocer and butcher, and a post office. A good, typical
restaurant--"Da Maria" and several small wine producers are nearby.
Murisengo, a busy market town (5km/3mi away) has groceries, dry cleaner, banks, cafes, gelateria, wineries,
shops and services. The Monday street market takes up the entire town with stalls providing everything from
buttons to fresh local cheeses.
hills and towns to a horizon of snowcapped Alps. The town's twin hilltops are surrounded by forest and "blue
highways" in Northern Italy.
The first settlement, in late Roman age, was in the valley. By the Middle Ages the community had moved up the
slopes to the safety of a walled castle fortress. The original castle, destroyed in 1290 by warring lords served as
the foundation for the magnificent, golden-ochre, baroque palace which has crowned Villadeati since the 1700's.
One hundred years ago, Villadeati was one of the most important towns in Monferrato; an agricultural, judiciary
and parochial center.
Summer tourists came to "take the waters" of a local spring, to promenade on the spectacular belvederes and
enjoy the particularly fresh air. Not much has changed in Villadeati since then...the pace is slow, the neighbors
cordial, and the air still has a special "something". In the village center, there is a small dry goods/bakery shop
for fresh bread and award winning tarts, a biweekly greengrocer and butcher, and a post office. A good, typical
restaurant--"Da Maria" and several small wine producers are nearby.
Murisengo, a busy market town (5km/3mi away) has groceries, dry cleaner, banks, cafes, gelateria, wineries,
shops and services. The Monday street market takes up the entire town with stalls providing everything from
buttons to fresh local cheeses.
| Villadeati |
| View from Villadeati |
| The village church |
| A nearby sunflower field |
| < House |