Gorzegno

A few ruins on a hill are the sign of the ancient origins of this town in the Bormida valley.

They are the ruins of the castle, built by the Del Carretto family in the medieval era and restored in 1587 to become a sumptuous house, with salons decorated with marble and stuccos.

It was then ruined during the many wars, and the various restorings couldn’t give it back its original beauty.

It was inhabited until 1860, but was later abandoned when it became impossible to live in it.

Today the tourists can find in Gorzegno some very interesting churches, among which the patronal church of saint Siro and John the Baptist, the chapel of saint Mary of the Vineyards, the church of saint Martin and last the church of saint John, built in the XII century.

In May the chicken fair takes place.

History

This town has a Latin name: it was “cohors Aenni”, Ennius’ garrison, a Roman centurion.

Only a few ruins are left of the castle built in 1500 for Alfonso Del Carretto.

The rugged ruins of Gorzegno

Gorzegno lies in the Bormida valley, and is characterised by the ruins that are silent witnesses of the ancient origins of this town.

The buildings’ current perimeter, with a tower-gate and a large residential tower, date back to the castle’s first construction phase, in around the 12th century.

During a later phase, the castle was expanded with further residential quarters and a keep (a type of fortified tower built within the castle as a place of last resort to flee to if under attack).

From the 12th till the 15th century, the castle was amended.

The last phase dates back to around 1580, when the castle was transformed into a fortified mansion, by the Del Carretto family; after the restoration, it served as their extravagant palace, with salons decorated with marble and stuccos.

Unfortunately, the castle got damaged in the many wars that took place in the area, and although restorations did take place, it was finally abandoned in 1860, as it was no longer habitable.

It is now so much in ruins, that it is hard to recognise the original splendour of the fortified complex; it is still a majestic structure, dramatically placed in the landscape and almost completely overgrown with vegetation.

Religious art

Gorzegno has some very interesting churches that can be visited.

The patronal church of Saint Siro and John the Baptist, the chapel of Saint Mary of the Vineyards, the church of Saint Martin and last, the church of Saint John, from the 12th century.

Gorzegno derives from the Latin name ‘Cohors Aenni’, a Roman centurion.

 

Food & Drinks

You may not believe it, but Gorzegno has no restaurants!

For something to eat, you will have to continue to the next village, Prunetto, just a few kilometres down the road.