Murazzano
Murazzano is one of the main towns in the Langhe.
Its height (739 meters on sea level), the near Maritme Alps, the lawns that surround it give it an untypical mountain appearance.
The town is dominated by a medieval tower built in the fourteenth century, once surely a part of the castle.
The central road leads you to the main square, and to the parish church of san Lorenzo, made precious by the fourteenth-century bell tower.
Artistically interesting is also the sanctuary of the Madonna di Hai, built in the first half of the seventeenth century.
Murazzano’s fair is held on the last week in August.
History
Until the end of the eighteenth century near the tower of Murazzano stood a castle, built at the beginning of the fourteenth century by the marquis of Saluzzo and later owned by the Savoia.
The town is intimately linked to the royal family, because many court doctors were born there.
Murazzano – Shield and key of the Piemonte
Driving further along the route, you will be treated to some of the most spectacular views in the area.
You will see Murazzano from afar as it sits in an elevated position, with snow-capped mountains in the background: an unforgettable sight.
Because of its historical importance and beautiful scenery, it is part of the Strada Romantica delle Langhe.
Murrazzano is on the cross point between the two most panoramic roads of the Langhe; the road from Dogliani, via Belvedere Langhe, and the road from Alba, via Bossolasco to Murazzano.
From here, the roads join to continue to Ceva and this explains why an important castle was built here in the 14th century which was known as the ‘Scudo e chiave’ (shield and key) of the Piemonte.
The castle was bought in 1463 by the Savoy, and with short interruptions, stayed in their hands; along the road, just outside Murazzano on the Belbo side, you also find the remains of one of the few windmills the region has had.
The baroque sanctuary and its history
The parish church of San Lorenzo from the 14th century and the Baroque Sanctuary Madonna di Hal are the most important historical monuments in town.
The Madonna has a beautiful story accompanying it; in the 17th century, Genoese Count Ambrogio Spinola became governor of Flanders and visited the Belgian Hal.
There he saw a statue of the Holy Virgin Mary and was so moved by it that he commissioned a painting of it which he gave as a present to his sister, Maria Spinola; she, also moved by the image, decided to give it to the village of Farigliano.
But, the donkey that had to carry the painting to Farigliano, due to the hard trip would not go one step further than Murazzano; this is why the painting stayed here, at first hosted in a little church, on which a Sanctuary was built later.
It took the name of Santuario Beata Vergine di Hal and the original painting of the Virgin Mary is nowadays still kept inside it.
It was made on ardesia stone and represents the Madonna with a richly decorated dress, on which the Spinola coat of arms stands out.
The market and festivals
Murrazano’s market is on Friday mornings on the lovely village square.
Especially in summer it offers a wide range of fresh produce, fish and the typical Langhe cheeses and sausages; this is the moment to be there and have a coffee to watch the locals do their shopping and have chats and coffees to catch up on all the news of the past week.
Like many other villages, Murrazzano also has several festivities.
lLa Sagra (the local fair) is celebrated in the last week of August; during this weekend there is a lively food market with music, barbeques and street-food.
Another traditional celebration is that of the ‘magnin’ (chimney sweepers) in winter.
With black painted faces the people march through town, whilst playing music and singing, to scare away the evil spirits from people and animals.
I love to stroll around in the narrow medieval streets of Murazzano; it is quiet and authentic, there are some sweet little shops that sell the typical cheeses and sausages of the region, and there are several terraces in the sun.
At the tower you find a board with information on the many nice walks that can be made in this area.
Walks and activities for children
These are the ancient donkey paths connecting Murazzano to Belvedere and Bossolasco that have been restored; traditionally the paths were used by tradesmen and farmers with their mules to transport goods from one village to the other.
The paths offer a wonderful way to explore the landscape as they lead through meadows and woods, along steep ravines where small streams meander through valley bottoms, and across hill crests with breathtaking views.
I will never forget a winter walk that I once undertook near Murazzano; as we came closer to the valley bottom, we walked through the fresh snow whilst marvelling at the wild orchids announcing the early spring.
Once at the bottom, we saw deer that had come to the little stream to drink.
Where do you still find this? It is the ideal place to unwind and really enter into another world.
A world where you connect again with nature: experience the seasons, breath in the fresh air, listen to the rustling of the wind, and feel the connection with the earth under your feet.
Close to Murazzano you can find the ‘Parco Safari delle Langhe’, a real Safari park which you can drive through by car to see lions, tigers, giraffes and many more animals.
The park is set in a stunning landscape; whereas the park is modest, relatively small and simple, the animals do look well-looked after, and there is plenty to see for a day out with the family.
They offer a nice picnic area with a playground where you can eat your own lunch, or order something at the bar.
Food & Drinks
Despite the mere 800 inhabitants, Murrazzano is known for its good restaurants.
People come from afar to visit trattoria Da Lele; this iconic restaurant offers generous lunches and dinners at a set price; piemontese people and tourists alike come here to indulge.
Osteria Ra Ca' 'd Baruc has an equally good reputation.
Cafe Gianduja is generally considered to be very good to have a sandwich and sit on the nice terrace on the town’s main square; another recommendation is a visit to Murazzano Penta, a farm just outside Murazzano in Frazione Mellea.
Here they sell their own products of excellent quality, and they offer guided tours on their farm so you can get a real feel for the love they put into their animals and produce.
Outside the shop there are picnic tables where you can have a lovely lunch; a unique chance to taste the product fresh from the producer.
You may want to combine this with a long walk through the fields as there are beautiful walks that end up just outside the farm.