The best MTB trails around Cortanze

One of the famous giant benches from the Big Bench Project, with an open view of the Monferrato hills.

Casale Monferrato - Crea Sanctuary on foot - return to Casale by mountain bike

The German-language television series "Treasures of the World - Heritage of Humanity" - which I highly recommend - is dedicated to short film clips featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites from all continents and eras. This includes the "Sacri Monti" in northern Italy (there are eight of these "Sacred Mountains" in Piedmont, and a ninth in Lombardy), which are presented to culture-loving viewers in a 15-minute segment. This can be accessed in the ARD Media Library at the following link =>> https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/schaetze-der-welt/heilige-berge-in-piemont-italien-folge-396/3sat/Y3JpZDovL3N3ci5kZS84ODgxMzc2

On the top of a hill immersed in a splendid landscape of vineyards, stands the Sacro Monte di Crea, founded in 1589. Inspired by the Sacro Monte di Varallo, it was born as a pilgrimage destination and today it is an enchanting place, perfect for walking among the greenery of the protected nature reserve. Along the route you will encounter 23 chapels and 5 hermitages, among which the evocative chapel of Paradise, dedicated to the Coronation of Mary, stands out. From here, your gaze is lost in a breathtaking panorama that embraces the Alpine chain and the surrounding rolling hills.

In the heart of Monferrato, on the top of a hill surrounded by a wonderful wine-growing landscape, stands the Sacro Monte di Crea, founded in 1589 on the initiative of Costantino Massino, Lateran prior of the Sanctuary of the Madonna Assunta. Costantino Massino proposed building a religious itinerary inspired by the Sacro Monte di Varallo, to encourage prayer and meditation and to renew the Marian devotion linked to the Sanctuary, a pilgrimage destination of considerable importance since the 11th century. The strong bond between the sanctuary and the ruling dynasty in Monferrato made the duke, the nobility, the high clergy and the local communities participate in the enterprise. In the first phase of the history of the Sacro Monte, which ended around 1657, important artists also active in the Sacri Monti of Orta, Varallo and Varese worked there, including Moncalvo, the Prestinari and the de Wespin, authors of the spectacular sculptural complex of the Chapel of Paradise (c. 23), created in the years between 1604 and 1612. During the 18th century, the Sacro Monte gradually fell into a state of abandonment and, between 1796 and 1801, the incursions of the French revolutionary troops contributed to the ruin of many structures, statues and frescoes. For several decades, the Sacro Monte was abandoned and only in 1820 a community of Franciscan friars, who had become responsible for the Sanctuary, began to restore some buildings. In 1885, a systematic restoration campaign began, supported by the bishop of Milan Nazari di Calabiana and destined to last until the 1920s. During this phase, in which some buildings were built from scratch, the famous symbolist sculptor Leonardo Bistolfi intervened in chapel 16, modeling the statues of the Ascent to Calvary. (c) https://www.sacrimonti.org/it/sacro-monte-di-crea

Small hamlet along the road to Montechiaro (more precisely the 53). A road with very little traffic 365 days a year.

Located in the roundabout area where, on Sunday mornings, if I'm not mistaken, there is a market of zero-mile fruit and vegetables.

Votive chapel at the intersection of Valmanera and Caramagna streets. The latter is an excellent connection route with the Valgera and Valmaggiore areas. All areas very popular with Asti cyclists.