Novello
Novello is a nice town, made of a few houses on the top of a hill.
The entrance to the town is marked by a medieval door, near the church of san Michele Arcangelo, built at the end of the eighteenth century.
In the same period the church of the fraternity of san Giovanni was built, with its baroque facade.
The castle dominates the town from the “rocca”: it was built in 1880 by Gian Battista Schellino in a neogothic style.
The Wine shop in piazza Marconi offers the “Branda di Novello”, a grappa made from marcs, along with a selected choice of wines.
Among the initiatives, interesting are the concerts of classical music performed during the fair of santa Lucia.
History
The town of Novello has been founded before the I century, as shown by a tombstone found on the hill; its origins are linked to the town of Alba Pompeia, because this town’s aristocrats liked the climate and view of the smaller town and used to spend the summer there. The name Novello comes from “novae villae” (new houses, the ones built by Albese people).
The first inhabitants were of the Liguri Stazielli tribe; after the submission to Rome and the Barbarian invasions, during the Carolingian reign the town was under the influence of the bishop of Alba, was occupied by the Hungarians and later, in 1100, it was bought by the Del Carretto marquis.
For a long time they had to fight over this feud with the Communes of Alba and Asti, since it was an important road to the sea.
From 1400 to 1600 it was more than once occupied by Spanish soldiers, during the succession wars in Italy, until the whole feud, with the castle and the land surrounding it, was sold by the Austrians to the duke Vittorio Amedeo di Savoia.
At the end of the eighteenth century Napoleon’s troops occupied this territory.
The neo-gothic castle of Novello
Novello lies at the western border of the Langhe hills and looks out onto the Tanaro and Po valley.
Novello is an elegant little town with very charming accommodation in the shape of its hotel ‘Al castello di Novello’ that was built in 1880.
The large neo-gothic castle, at the end of town, is a masterpiece by the famous architect Schellino, known from his ground-breaking architecture which can mainly be admired in and around the town of Dogliani.
It is a hotel, but you can take a little stroll around to marvel at the fairy-tale like character of the building and the far-reaching views to the hills on one side, and the Po valley stretching towards the Mediterranean Alps on the other side.
It is a wonderful place to go for a walk through the vineyards underneath the castle; the paths are not strenuous and offer fantastic views over the landscape and from here, you could also hike to Barolo and Monforte.
A map of these walks can be picked up at the local enoteca and the trails are very well marked along the way.
In the detail of the place
When you drive into Novello, the first thing you see is a medieval door, near the church of San Michele Arcangelo, built at the end of the eighteenth century.
This is when the church of the fraternity of San Giovanni was built, with its baroque facade.
The town itself was founded before the first century: a tombstone found on the hill has linked its origins to Alba Pompeia.
As Alba’s aristocrats liked the climate and view of Novello better, they would spend their summers here.
The name Novello comes from ‘novae villae’, referring to the new villas built here by the Albese people.
Food & Drinks
Novello is small but very lively, recently a few bars and restaurants have opened their doors, and terraces now line some of the small squares.
Novello hides at least one great restaurant, Il Banchetto at Via Tarditi Sottani, which is signposted on the little roundabout when you enter the village.
At weekends it serves copious dinners: upon request they open up on weekdays for larger groups.
Il Banchetto is a family-run business and will offer you all the region's favourites at the best quality around.
Do ask for accompanying wines because they have an excellent choice of less known or up-and-coming producers, which they serve at modest prices.
Immerse yourself in the Langa life
Novello is also a nice spot to stop for a coffee, as there are several small terraces and there is always a cheerful atmosphere.
If you want to feel part of the local community, you should visit Plaza Café next to the football pitch.
These places will not appeal to the average tourist, but this is where you will experience life Langhe-style, as this is where local friends and families meet.