Among the most important towns in the Ovada area is undoubtedly Rocca Grimalda, a municipality in the Upper Monferrato perched on a rocky hill, with its territory bordered to the west by the Orba River. The municipality covers a wide area compared to its small historic center and occupies a strategic position between the Ligurian Sea and the inland plains leading to the Po Valley.
From its fortress, the village commands the most important communication routes, making this location highly strategic.
The earliest settlements may even date back to prehistoric times, though archaeological finds confirm a pre-Roman origin, with Ligurian tribes inhabiting the Orba Valley. The presence of Romans and later Lombards is also certain, as evidenced by the discovery of the remains of a fortification in the Trionzo area attributed to them.
The village’s unique position has made its history particularly turbulent, full of events and marked by the influence of various personalities and noble families who held—or sought to hold—power here. From the 10th century, the name of Aleramo appears, followed by the Marquises of Monferrato, the Marquises of Gavi, and the Malaspina, all before the 14th century. After centuries of battles and shifting control, the Genoese Grimaldi family emerged in the 18th century, giving the village its current name.
Until that time, as Manzoni also notes, the Rocca Grimalda area was covered in forests and dense vegetation. With the arrival of the Genoese family, however, viticulture was introduced, quickly transforming the original landscape. In 1736, the municipality became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia under the House of Savoy and has since followed the historical path of Piedmont.
The medieval village is well preserved, with the castle naturally representing its most important architectural feature. Built as a military stronghold in the 13th century, it was gradually refined to resemble a noble residence.
The circular tower rises from the defensive walls, which once housed the prison, and inside, a beautiful spiral staircase ascends through all five floors of the structure.
The castle has been restored by its current owners and now houses a prestigious B&B, also hosting ceremonies and events that often extend into the beautiful hanging garden.
The garden is listed among the historic gardens of Piedmont and offers various settings, including an Italian-style garden, a grove, a romantic garden, a secret garden, and a medieval garden.
The castle is part of the “castelli aperti” system in Lower Piedmont and is active in producing local wines, available in its ancient cellars.
A short distance from the castle is the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore, dating to the 13th century with three naves. On the opposite side stands the Church of Santa Limbania, perched atop a rocky spur overlooking the Orba River. This church likely has Early Medieval origins (from 450 to 1000 AD), though its current appearance dates to interventions in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Dedicated to Saint Cypriot, protector of muleteers, the church reflects devotion that had spread in Genoa since the 1300s, likely introduced by the Grimaldi family. The interior, a single nave, is richly decorated with high-quality paintings and features a splendid main altar. With 5,760 votes, the church ranks 47th in the special FAI “Places of the Heart” list, a nationwide survey of sites to be preserved and valued. Other religious buildings include the Oratory of San Giovanni Battista and the Oratory of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
The village is also home to an intriguing museum dedicated to the masks used in traditional Italian and European festivals. Its rooms display anthropomorphic and zoomorphic masks.
This collection preserves the memory of the traditional carnival festival called “Lachera” and reflects a broader interest in conserving local heritage.
The museum also hosts other exhibitions of note (www.museodellamaschera.it).
In a territory so devoted to gastronomy, it is worth mentioning that Rocca Grimalda is the home of the original Perbueira, a distinctive Piedmontese dish resembling pasta with mixed beans, enhanced with a special type of sliced meat. At the end of August, the village hosts a festival dedicated to this local specialty.
