The village rises in the valley of the Bormida di Spigno, in a wild landscape where the peculiar formations called calanchi can be observed. These are deep gullies created by the relentless erosive action of water on particularly soft rocks.

The flowing water removes material, creating unusual structures sometimes shaped like mushrooms, locally called “Murion.”

Multiple archaeological findings have shown that this place was already inhabited in the Neolithic era, with artifacts such as polished axes, awls, and stone tools. Later, the Ligurians and then the Romans settled here, as evidenced by burials, glass, and ceramics from that period. The site was continuously inhabited up to the late Middle Ages and, without interruption, until today, witnessing centuries of history.

The ancient San Fermo Tower, dating back to the 12th century, is the most significant architectural testimony of the village’s medieval past. Built in Langa stone, the 25-meter-high tower stands atop a hill.

It served as a lookout and possibly also as a defensive structure, with a privileged view over the Bormida di Spigno valley and the communication routes from Liguria to the inland.

The tower, the last Piedmontese outpost before Liguria, is part of a circuit known as the five medieval towers, which includes those of Monastero Bormida, San Giorgio Scarampi, Olmo Gentile, and Roccaverano.

Finally, the San Fermo Chapel, dating from the 17th century, is also noteworthy.