Immediate surroundings
On the border of Piedmont and Liguria lies Tenuta Squaneto in a quiet green valley, just a few kilometers away from the nearest villages: Pareto (7 km), Piana Crixia (5 km), and Dego (10 km). Here, you can enjoy the tranquility, interrupted only by the croaking of frogs, the characteristic sounds of birds of prey, or the barking of deer. You will be amazed by the many species of butterflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies, lizards, and salamanders. In the immediate surroundings, you may still frequently encounter hares, pheasants, deer, and/or wild boars. In the sparkling clear Valla River, not only can you see various fish, but you might even discover a crayfish!
The diversity of flowers in the fields is particularly a delight for the eyes in spring. In autumn, many Italians venture into the forests to forage for mushrooms. The forests around Tenuta Squaneto are known as a good spot for porcini mushrooms, but you can also find various other edible mushroom species here. However, since there are often only slight differences between edible and (deadly) toxic mushrooms, we strongly advise you to leave all mushrooms untouched.
Click below for information about walking and cycling around Tenuta Squaneto.
calanchi
The hilly region around Squaneto, where the Alps transition into the Apennines, is adorned with the characteristic 'calanchi.' These slopes, resembling waves due to erosion, consist of a mix of clay-like sand, where sporadic vegetation appears to float.
This ridge forms a natural boundary between the Po Valley and the Mediterranean Sea. Tenuta Squaneto is situated at about 400 meters above sea level.
Unwinding comes naturally here!
Rich history
Unlike the Flower Riviera, our region is not so touristy and seems to maintain a different pace of rural life. It's an ideal place to unwind!
Many picturesque villages, sometimes recognizable in the distance by their distinctive square watchtowers, take turns celebrating their own village festivals, honoring the patron saint, celebrating the harvest, or simply enjoying the local specialties.
Strolling through ancient alleyways and charming squares
Both Acqui Terme (35 min.) and Cairo Montenotte (20 min.) are charming little towns. Here, you'll find cozy streets and beautiful squares with numerous shops, bars, and ice cream parlors that are definitely worth a visit. There are also larger supermarkets and bigger weekly fresh markets. Acqui Terme (the name says it all) has been a well-known spa since ancient times, offering a variety of wellness and beauty packages.
From 'La Bollente,' 500 liters of water at a temperature of 75 degrees Celsius flow every minute. This spring water contains sulfur, salt, bromine, and lead, and the steam it emits has healing properties. Remains of baths and an aqueduct date back to Roman times. The cathedral, featuring a Romanesque cloister, dates from the 11th century.
"Tenuta Squaneto is located on the outskirts of the municipality of Spigno Monferrato. This village is built around a rock formation that juts out between the Bormida and Valla rivers. A gem from antiquity is the beautiful Romanesque bridge, Ponte di San Rocco. This bridge connected the Abbazia (abbey) di San Quintino with the Via Aemilia Scauri from Roman times, which linked Aquae Statiellae (Acqui Terme) and Vada Sabatia (Vado Ligure).
In the small church of Squaneto, you can admire a truly magnificent white marble statue of Mary from the 18th century, originating from the world-renowned Bernini school."
On either side of Tenuta Squaneto, two national parks are just around the corner: the smaller Parco Naturale Regionale di Piana Crixia and the Parco Regionale del Beigua. Tenuta Squaneto is located 35 km from the Mediterranean Sea!
That's why...
Tenuta Squaneto
Benvenuti a tutti!