Ripa Alta is a name that reflects the village’s elevated position above the Bormida River. It appears in historical records as early as 985 and then more frequently from 1191 onward. In 1216, Rivalta Bormida was established as a “free commune,” later passing under the Monferrato marquisate in 1331 and the Maranzana marquises in 1478.
Until 1708, the village served as a fortified stronghold on the border between the Marquisate of Monferrato and the Duchy of Milan. Its urban layout reflects the typical medieval design: a series of streets laid out perpendicularly, forming districts, each associated with a noble family that gave it its name. Over time, the districts were renamed based on practical landmarks or functions—such as the Well District, the Bread District, or the Castle District. This part of the village, known in dialect as Pais Vech, retains the structure of a fortified enclosure. Originally surrounded by walls—still partially visible today—the quadrangle included towers, of which only ruins remain, likely dating back to around 1330.
Among the village’s noble residences is Palazzo Lignana di Gattinara, a 16th-century palace later modified in the 1700s. It features a restrained façade, an impressive portal, and a walnut main door. Inside, the loggia once housed the ruota degli esposti (foundling wheel) and opens onto a beautiful Italian-style garden, while the interiors are richly decorated with frescoes. Over the centuries, the palace changed hands several times and today houses the Elisabeth de Rothschild Cultural Center of Monferrato’s Jewish community.
Palazzo Bovio della Torre, now the parish house, and Palazzo Bruni, located at the entrance to the historic center, are other notable buildings. Palazzo Bruni, recently restored, covers 1,300 square meters over three levels and has been owned by the municipality since 2002, hosting events, exhibitions, seminars, and conferences.
Religious architecture includes the 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic Church of San Michele, later redesigned in Baroque style, and the late 16th-century Oratory of San Domenico.
Among the local gastronomic specialties, Rivalta Bormida is renowned for its Zucchino, a vegetable whose quality and distinctive flavor are gaining recognition far beyond the town’s borders. According to the municipality’s website, it has held the Municipal Designation since 2008, marked with a distinctive yellow and green logo. The Zucchino is celebrated annually with a festival in the first days of August.
