Where the Po Valley begins to ripple, giving rise to the first hills of Upper Monferrato, and where the gold-bearing Piota stream flows into the Orba River, lies the village of Silvano d’Orba, home to around 1,900 residents.
Perched atop a hill, the village offers splendid panoramas: on one side, the Apennines, and on the other, rolling hills that gradually merge into the plain, a landscape rich in vineyards.
The area produces excellent wines such as Dolcetto di Ovada and Barbera dell’Alto Monferrato, but Silvano is especially famous for its grappa, crafted through a double distillation in traditional stills.
The history of the village is ancient, likely pre-Roman, but archaeological evidence confirms settlement here at least from Roman times, as early as the 1st century. Near the cemetery lie the so-called “Torrazzi,” the ruins of two stone towers that were part of a larger fortification. Although many artifacts were destroyed during the construction of the cemetery, others survived, documenting the village’s activity and its inclusion in what is known as the “Byzantine Limes”—a fortified line stretching across the territory to guard against potential invaders.
The strategic location of this fortification, at the confluence of the two gold-bearing rivers, suggests the presence of the city of Rondinaria, traditionally considered a center for gold collection. The city was probably destroyed by Saracens in 935 and seems to have been forgotten, with no records surviving after the 16th century.
It was precisely these Saracen invasions that forced many inhabitants of the plain to move to the hills and build new fortified villages, among them Silvano.
The village emerged from the merger of two small settlements facing each other, both fortified. After one of them was destroyed, the population gathered around the remaining large castle, and in 1446 Silvano was distinguished as “Villa Superiore” and “Villa Inferiore.” From then on, the village followed the historical events of the wider Monferrato region.
The castle, known as the Castle of Adorno, has dominated the village since 1492. Construction began in 1446, and the structure is imposing, with a quadrangular base and four battlemented towers. Built entirely in stone, the main entrance faces south and is flanked by the two largest towers. The castle has three floors with a central courtyard and a beautiful portico on two sides. Its preservation is excellent, and the original furnishings remain inside, though it is unfortunately not open to the public.
At the foot of the fortress stands the 15th-century Church of San Pietro, with a Latin cross plan and a single nave. Renovated in the 17th century, its interior is richly decorated with frescoes by the prolific painter Ivaldi, known as “il Muto,” and a fine main altar. The main parish church is the 18th-century Church of San Sebastiano.
Other notable religious buildings in the area include the 6th-century Pieve di Santa Maria della Neve and the elevated 12th-century Church of San Pancrazio.
The second castle, once belonging to the del Bosco family, survives today only in ruins.
Silvano is renowned for its high-quality grappa, earning it the nickname “Village of Grappa,” with two annual celebrations: the Grappa Festival in October and the “Open Distillery” event in November.
The village’s location and natural surroundings make it an ideal starting point for numerous hiking and trekking routes, all detailed in the “Guida di Silvano d’Orba,” published by the Silvanese Cultural Association “Ir Bàgiu” and edited by the Accademia Urbense of Ovada.
