This is where we have lived since 2000. The original village, probably dating from the 13th C., was
enclosed by a brick wall whose arched gateway still stands at the entrance to the panoramic
promenade, "La Riva". In 1304, the townspeople revolted against the liege and tore down the castle
fortress. (Some of those bricks were used in the Nido's walls..) They aligned themselves as a "free
community" under the protection of Asti and took the name of Asti's patron,
St. Secondo. Today there are about 400 residents, many are descendants of the original Villese. The
large main piazza hosts regular festivals, and is a meeting place for all. Piemontese dialect, rather than
pure Italian, is the lingua franca.
There is: an excellent butcher shop/market, a news agent, a yoga retreat, town hall, post office, and 4
churches.
Montechiaro, 2km away provides most other services: restaurant, pizzeria, cafes, banks, pharmacy,
dry cleaner, hairdresser.
| Adalghisa's news stand |
| Main Piazza |
| Villa San Secondo |
| Villa San Secondo |
| Gilberto, the village butcher web page: www.negoziovilla.it |
| Piazza at dusk |
| Montechiaro from Villa San Secondo |
| Church piazza |
Nido >
| Angelo in his wine celler |