Roddi

Built on the right bank of the river Tanaro, it stands on a hill from which all the area around Alba can be seen.

The castle, that dominates the whole town, has two strong towers, built in the XII and XV century.

The oldest houses stand all round it and round the bell tower, built in the XIII century; the roads turn all round them.

Interesting is also the baroque parish church of the Assumption.

The patronal fair is held on the last Sunday in August.

History

The town’s name comes from the Celtic “raud” or “rod”, meaning “river”: surely a very ancient town, founded before the Roman era, it was later a Roman village called “Raudum”; it was built on the road from Alba Pompeia and the then important Pollentia.

According to the historians, here two great battles were fought: the one called “of the Campi Raudii” in 101 b.C., when Caius Marius Consul won over the Cimbres and Teutons, and the other in 403, when the Roman general Stiliconius won over Alaric’s Goths.

Later, in Roddi was built a big monastery; since the XV century it was a possession of different families (the Falletti di Barolo, the duke of Mantova, the Della Mirandola), until it was bought by the marquis Della Chiesa di Cinzano, who sold it to the king Carlo Alberto in 1836.

Roddi and its truffle dog university

Once you are taken by the truffle mania, a visit to Roddi’s truffle-dog University adds to the joy.

The university was founded in 1880 and was made official at the 5th Alba truffle fair by its President Count Gastone di Mirafiori in 1935.

At the university, dogs learn how to find a truffle and then let their owner know where it is.

The ‘trifulau’ then extracts the truffle from the ground with a special tool resembling a small pickaxe.

The university also provides special Sunday training, where the dogs go on a truffle hunting simulation to keep the dogs alert and improve their skills.

The current dean of the university is Mr Giovanni Monchiero: he is the fourth-generation heir of the truffle university and has developed it into a great place to visit.

You find the university next to Roddi’s castle, which also hosts a small, yet precious museum.

The museum provides information about the ancient art of truffle hunting and about the family that has fostered the university through the generations.

You can find photos, paintings, and tools, and even buy fresh truffles from the Monchieros, and other natural Piemontese products like honey, cakes, cheeses and wines.

Food & Drinks

Roddi has several nice restaurants.

Ristorante La Volta Rossa is well known for its excellent food, and Ristorante Il Vigneto is worth a visit even if only for the fantastic views over the vineyards.

Of course, both come with a good selection of wines.