Holiday apartment in Sant'Agata Fossili: geology, churches and wine

A holiday apartment in Sant'Agata Fossili takes you to a place whose character is shaped by geological history, sacred buildings and regional wine. For your planning, you can combine your interests in nature and culture and focus on geological discoveries, historical traces or enjoyable moments.

Holiday apartment in Sant'Agata Fossili: nature and geological history

The name component Fossili was added in 1863 after fossils from the Middle Miocene had repeatedly been found in the marls of Sant'Agata. Below the settlement, the type locality of the Marne di Sant'Agata Fossili Formation is visible along the Rio Mazzapiedi. It comprises grey-blue marls from the Tortonian to the Messinian, which in the lower section alternate in places with sandy-conglomeratic deposits.

The outcrop contains a diverse fossil macrofauna with snails, mussels and isolated corals.

Churches, castles and historical traces

The Chiesa di Sant'Agata was built between 1500 and 1575. The parish church of Sant'Agata also preserves an old chapel decorated with numerous frescoes, including a fresco depicting the martyrdom of the saint. The patronal feast in honour of Saint Agatha is celebrated on 5 February.

In the higher part of Sant'Agata Fossili stands the Castello, a massive medieval building that was built as a monk's cell.

The Chiesa di Sant'Agata was built in the 16th century, while the Castello dates back to the Middle Ages.

Podigliano is now a hamlet of Sant'Agata Fossili and was historically one of the five castellanies of the diocese. At the beginning of the 14th century, the Castello di Podigliano served as a refuge for Guelphs fleeing from Tortona.

The Church of San Michele in Podigliano contains a choir fresco of the Madonna and Child enthroned, probably created in 1603 and attributed to Barattini. The statue of Saint Michael was restored in 1827; the building of the Church of San Michele was restored in 1964. The small Madonna della Guardia church in Torre Sterpi bears an inscription with the date 30 May 1893 and names Giuseppe Pernigotti as its founder.

Wine and choosing your holiday apartment

Wine from the vineyards of Locanda del Barco – Varvanera, Invè and Costa Mezzana – can be tasted and purchased at the agriturismo. This adds a regional culinary aspect to the geological history and sacred buildings.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Sant'Agata Fossili, you can use your preferred activities for the day as a guide: the geological trail and the outcrop appeal to an interest in natural history, while Chiesa di Sant'Agata, the Castello, Podigliano and the churches in Torre Sterpi add a cultural and historical dimension.

Discover other places

For further orientation, you can also explore Mombello Monferrato, San Salvatore Monferrato, Camagna Monferrato, Malvicino, Tassarolo, Lu, Bosio and Pietra Marazzi.

For the overarching travel overview: Alessandria.