Holiday apartment in Gavi: discover the fortress, churches and wine

Gavi combines a historic fortress, medieval churches, wine tastings and nature along the Torrente Neirone.

Fortress and historic paths

Forte di Gavi is a historic fortress built primarily for defensive purposes, which the Genoese constructed on the site of an existing medieval castle. Work began in 1626 and lasted four years. During this time, the castle was transformed into the fortress seen today, including six bastions connected by fortified curtain walls equipped with gun embrasures.

Guided group tours of Forte di Gavi are planned for 2026; the tour route is predominantly outdoors. The Antica Cinta Muraria once protected Gavi and led to the fortress. Remains of the town walls can be seen on the ascent to the fortress and along the road from the Portino degli Orti to the bridge over the Lemme.

Churches with a long history

The Romanesque Parrocchiale di San Giacomo was first documented on 15 August 1172. Its façade was built in the second half of the 12th century from local sandstone on the remains of a hospice for pilgrims travelling to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela. The interior contains late-medieval frescoes and 17th-century frescoes, a marble sculpture of the Virgin by Carlo Cacciari dating from 1764, and a wooden processional depiction of the Assumption of Mary by Luigi Montecucco dating from 1854.

Pieve di S. Maria sul Lemme, built before the year 1000, was the mother church of Gavi. Santuario di Nostra Signora della Guardia, a temple with a Greek cross plan and views over Gavi, stands on Colle dei Turchini and was built in 1861. The feast of the Santuario is celebrated on 29 August.

The single-nave Oratorio della Madonna Assunta detto dei Turchini dates from 1575 and is the seat of the local brotherhood N.S. Assunta, the Turchini. Frescoes on the walls and vaults, tapestries and a wooden statue of the Assunta by Bartolomeo Carrega shape the interior.

Nature, climbing and planned circular routes

Falesia di Gavi offers more than 50 climbing routes of varying difficulty, which can be climbed in every season. However, the south-facing wall becomes very hot in summer. Around Forte di Gavi are the Torrente Neirone, with crystal-clear water and waterfalls, wooded slopes and spring-fed pools with a significant amphibian population.

The “dietro il Forte” path follows the Torrente Neirone for about 800 metres to Falesia di Gavi and offers views of nature as well as remains of old stone structures. The “Anello di Gavi e via dei palazzi” project envisages a circular route connecting the fortress with the historic centre via a panoramic path surrounded by nature. The planned route starts at the Giardini di piazza Dante, then follows the historic ascent to Forte di Gavi and finally takes another historic path downhill to the municipal Enoteca.

Wine and regional specialities

At La Chiara, the tasting includes five glasses of wine accompanied by regional products such as cold cuts and focaccia. A visit to the wine cellar accompanies the tasting and explains the history of the winery and its connection with the surrounding vineyards. Cantine del Gavi offers wine tastings in old underground cellars located within the massive walls of an 18th-century palace; local cheeses and cold cuts are served with them.

More destinations to include in your plans: Mirabello Monferrato, Olivola, Vignale Monferrato, Figino, Masio, Borgo San Martino, Volpedo, Garbagna.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Alessandria.