The village stands in a wild natural setting teeming with wildlife, perched on the ridge of a hill more than 600 meters above sea level. From here, sweeping views open over the Erro Valley, the Ligurian and Piedmontese Apennines, and the Alpine arc, framed by Monviso on one side and the Monte Rosa massif on the other. This natural balcony has earned Ponzone the title of the second most panoramic view in Italy.

Archaeological remains trace the village’s origins back at least to Roman times. Later, it became part of the Aleramic Marquisate, which controlled territories stretching into Liguria, including the ports of Celle, Varazze, and Albisola. Ponzone shared the fate of the Aleramici, passing from one ruling family to another—eventually to the Gonzaga of Mantua and finally the House of Savoy.

Its medieval past is still visible in the village layout, with its arcades and the “ricetto,” the fortified refuge area.

As for fortifications and the castle, the former surely existed given the site’s strategic position. The castle itself, however, was completely destroyed in the mid-1600s by the Spanish. Contemporary records mention the order given by the Constable of Castile, governor of the Duchy of Milan, to “blow the castle into the air.”

Dominating the village today is the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo, whose construction began in 1577. The church features three wide naves, richly decorated with polychrome marble and stucco. Its frescoes, dating from the late 1500s, have been carefully restored along with most of the mural paintings.

The fascinating Museum of Sacred Art, housing an exceptional collection of valuable works, is located in the Oratory of Santo Suffragio. The building itself, lavishly decorated and painted, has undergone extensive and meticulous restoration.

Ponzone is also a destination for pilgrims, thanks to the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Pieve. Though originally built around the year 1000, the present structure dates to 1694. Long associated with miracles in Catholic tradition, it is complemented by a Via Crucis built on the nearby Monte Calvario hill. The unique arrangement of the chapels makes this site particularly striking.

From a gastronomic perspective, Ponzone boasts a true delicacy: Filetto Baciato, invented in the early 1900s by Romeo Malò. This specialty consists of “a pork tenderloin, salted and spiced, wrapped in seasoned pork salami paste, encased in natural pork casing, and aged for two to six months.”