Vignale Monferrato is located atop one of the highest hills in the Casale Monferrato area, at an elevation of 308 meters. The hill rises between the valleys of the Grana and Rostro streams, in a landscape covered with vineyards that seem to stretch endlessly into the distance. The village sits at the center of an area whose vertices are almost equidistant from Casale, Asti, and Alessandria, making it clearly visible and recognizable from many surrounding villages, even those at considerable distances. Thanks to its strategic position and welcoming atmosphere, Vignale is a popular destination, particularly among motorcyclists who often stop to take stunning photos from the scenic overlook.
On clear days, the landscape extends from the Ligurian Apennines to the Alps, from Monviso to the Monte Rosa massif.
The name “Vignale” originates from a word meaning “the place planted with vineyards,” reflecting the village’s long-standing tradition and dedication to viticulture and wine production.
The village likely existed in Roman times, but the first documented reference is an imperial diploma of Otto III dated 992, while it is mentioned again in 1164 by Frederick Barbarossa. Vignale was under the rule of the Marquises of Monferrato, the Aleramici, who fortified it by building a castle, probably expanded later by the Paleologi. Little remains of the castle today, and what does survive is not always accessible, as the last owners, the Callori Counts, donated it to the diocese, which converted part of it into an oratory for local youth.
Vignale and its territory were at the center of violent battles for decades, repeatedly besieged and burned by Spanish, French, and German armies. Eventually, the fief passed into the hands of the Callori Counts, who administered it wisely until the 19th century. The notable Palazzo Callori, built on the remains of a medieval residence, underwent multiple expansions, modifications, and restorations. Constructed from sandstone and bricks, the building features three elegant crossed staircases leading from the garden to the upper floors.
The Palazzo, now municipal property and home to the town hall, is an imposing structure with 150 rooms and halls adorned with coffered ceilings, frescoes, and stucco decorations. On the ground floor is a private chapel, probably built in the 19th century and fully frescoed. The palazzo hosted Saint John Bosco on multiple occasions from 1862 to 1879, as commemorated by a plaque. The cellars contain a well that once supplied water to the building and previously housed the Regional Enoteca of Monferrato, now relocated to the castle in Casale. Below the palazzo, a visitable infernot is also preserved.
Numerous other historical buildings include Palazzo Vitale from the late 18th century, featuring a beautiful inner garden, one of whose walls may belong to the original fortifications.
The village itself is well maintained, and every June it hosts the traditional “Balcone Fiorito” event, culminating in the award for the most spectacular floral display.
Two unique cultural sites in the village are connected to the artistic activity of Luciano Serpentello, a Vignale farmer with a distinctive naïve style: the Parco della Rimembranza and his birthplace, known as Casa Serpentello. Serpentello decorated the park using a mixture of cement, pebbles, and coal remnants, creating replicas of trenches, shelters, plaques, fountains, the Postojna caves, and the Madonna del Grappa. He also displayed numerous objects and memorabilia from the Great War. The house’s façade is covered with many clay tiles mixed with terracotta fragments, forming bas-reliefs representing his life, imagined scenes, animals, leaves, objects, and machinery from rural culture, as well as landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Mole Antonelliana. On the house, he inscribed:
“There is neither art nor symmetry; the only merit is imagination. In a few years of my life, this work was completed by me; if not beautiful, it is original, and difficult to find its equal. A peasant has put his hand to it, the signor Luciano Serpentello.”
Among the religious buildings, the Parish Church of San Bartolomeo Apostolo, built in 1772 but consecrated only in 1841, has a rather simple façade with a large classical-style pronaos and three statues dominating the entrance. The interior is richly decorated and contains works of particular value.
The Church of the Blessed Virgin Addolorata, constructed from 1470 on the site of an earlier Gothic chapel with five pinnacles (the original rose window has been walled up), is also of interest. Its interior has three naves and a beautifully decorated choir in the apse.
Vignale is a lively village with excellent hospitality, particularly in terms of restaurants and wine bars, as well as a vibrant cultural life. For many years it hosted the event Vignale Danza, now promoted as the Vignale Monferrato Festival, a renowned and engaging international dance festival held between July and August, rich in events and widely attended by a knowledgeable audience.
