Cella Monte, a village with a long and eventful history documented since before the year 1000, sits slightly elevated at about 250 meters above sea level, perched—as so many Monferrato towns are—on the crest of a hill.

Its past is visible everywhere: in the narrow lanes, the stone houses, and most notably in Palazzo Volta, where restoration work uncovered a remarkable 15th-century loggia long hidden behind a plain 18th-century façade. The very stones that build the village, rich with fossils and ancient imprints, speak of a geological past that is almost impossible to imagine today.

Also of interest is the Town Hall, where many carved graffiti, dating back at least to the 1600s, can still be seen on the squared stone blocks of its walls. Among the religious buildings are the parish church of Saints Quirico and Giulitta, consecrated in 1633, the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate, predating 1550, and the small Romanesque church of San Quirico.

The latter, built of brick and sandstone with a simple rectangular plan and semicircular apse, was probably the village’s first religious building.

Cella Monte, however, is best known for its Infernot—cellars dug directly into the local sandstone (pietra da cantoni).

Traditionally used to store wine and produce in perfect and constant temperature and humidity, they have never fallen out of use. Here you will also find the Ecomuseo della Pietra da Cantoni, which tells the story of the stone, its uses, and its rediscovery. This is the ideal starting point for exploring the fascinating underground world of the Infernot.

The village gained wide recognition when it took part in the Festival of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, and today its impeccably maintained houses make it a true jewel. Cella Monte is also the starting point for scenic walking, cycling, and horseback trails, including the well-known Anello di Cella Monte, Dipinti, rose e vigne, and Vigneti e infernot.

Several events animate village life: in May, Le colline sono in fiore transforms the streets into a floral contest among residents, with particular attention given to roses—so much so that the municipality has even created a map, available at the local tourist office, to help visitors discover them.

In November, the eagerly awaited Sagra Regionale del Tartufo Bianco della Valle di Ghenza draws crowds from far and wide to celebrate the prized white truffle.