WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN AND AROUND MONDOVÌ
The Monregalese… a wonderful treasure chest waiting to be discovered! Here’s what do and see in Mondovì and its surrounding areas.
Mondovì and its surrounding areas (referred to as the ‘Monregalese’) offer visitors a wide range of things to do and see, including art, history, culture and gastronomy… a place surrounded by vineyard covered hills and majestic mountains. In winter, you can put on your skis or snowshoes and in the warmer months you can hop on your bike or put on your hiking boots…. the possibilities are endless. After a day of discovery, sit and enjoy a glass of wine while you savor a typical local dish. This magical area, nestled between the Langhe and the Alps, and not far from the Mediterranean Sea, is not to be missed! Discover more by clicking on “Visit Mondovì” and “Visit Monregalese”.
THINGS TO SEE IN MONDOVÌ – TWO HISTORIC CENTERS, AN UPPER AND A LOWER ONE – UNITED BY A FUNICULAR
For free parking, click here, you can park your car near the old train station. Then, cross over the bridge and pass by the Children’s Fountain. You can now enter into the lower historical center, Breo, with its arcades and the splendid San Pietro square. Then, hop on the funicular for a short ride to the upper part of Mondovì, Piazza Maggiore Square. From here you can walk to Belvedere, with its ancient clock tower, for a breathtaking view of the entire Piedmontese Alpine arc. An absolutely must-see!
WHAT TO SEE IN MONDOVÌ – THE MISSION CHURCH AND “INFINITUM”
The Mission Church, painted by fresco artist Andrea Pozzo in the 17th century, is a jewel of the town, and Baroque at its best. Its painted “false dome” is a true masterpiece of trompe l’oeil and one of many artistic 3D “tricks” you can discover here. You can learn how the ancient “altar machine” (the only one existing in the world) was a complicated mechanism invented by the Jesuits in order to levitate the figure of Saint Francesco Saverio. You can discover this and experience many more of Pozzo’s optical technical illusions by putting on a pair of 3D-VR glasses and participating in this futuristic, high-tech tour, “Infinitum”. For more information, click here.
THE CERAMICS MUSEUM – WHAT TO SEE IN MONDOVÌ
Mondovì was an important center for the production of ceramic up until the 20th century. There were various manufactories in this sector, including the prestigious Fauzone di Gemagnano building in Piazza Maggiore, on the upper part of Mondovì, which now preserves the memory of this deep-routed tradition in the Ceramics Museum. For more information, click here.
The printing press museum
From Piazza Maggiore, go down Via Vico street. Then, turn right at the Battuti Neri confraternity. On the left, you will find the Printing Press Museum, yet another historic tradition in the Monregalese. The first book in Piemonte was printed in Mondovì in 1472. After that, many printers opened, bringing a remarkable liveliness to the city in both the publishing and cultural sectors. The pinnacle came with the opening of a University in Mondovì Piazza in the 16th century. From that point on, Mondovì has been known as “the City of Studies”. For more information, click here.
THINGS TO DO IN MONDOVÌ – CLIMB UP INTO ONE OF THE LARGEST DOMES IN THE WORLD
Located about 5 km from Mondovì, the Sanctuary of Vicoforte is a magnificent baroque basilica known world-wide. Not only does it have the largest oval elliptic dome in the world, but also the largest single-themed fresco. You can get to the heart of this masterpiece thanks to a guided tour, “Magnificat”. Passing through rooms never before opened to the public, you can re-live the events that created the Sanctuary of Vicoforte, while climbing up, step by step, into its grand elliptical dome, 75 meters high. An emotional visit, and unforgettable adventure… discover the architectural, historical and artistic details, up close and in person. For more information, click here.
things to do in MONDOVÌ – take a hot-air balloon ride
Mondovì is the Italian capital of hot-air ballooning. On any given day, it’s easy to spot hot-air balloons in the sky, engaging tourists or training pilots. Every year in January, on the Epiphany, there is a large, annual gathering in town with dozens of hot-air balloons in the air and a spectacular show on the ground for everyone! A magical show that’s not to be missed! It’s also possible to experience for yourself the emotion of flying in a hot-air balloon with one of the best Italian and European pilots! For more information, click here.
FROM HELL TO PARADISE, AND BACK AGAIN- IN BASTIA MONDOVÌ
If you are a sinner, a visit to the San Fiorenzo Chapel in Bastia, Mondovì, could put you back onto the right path. The small chapel is covered with spectacular gothic frescoes, dating back to 1472, which will show you what fate awaits you. Hideous devils will torture and devour you in various ways, depending on your sin. But, if redemption is in store for you, an angel will lift you up through purgatory into a peaceful paradise, populated by praying saints, cherubs and musicians. To take a trip to hell and back, click here.
a natural oasis just around the corner from historic downtown – what to do and SEE in MONDOVÌ
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, you only have to drive 10-minutes from Mondovì to find the Crava-Morozzo Nature Reserve, a natural sanctuary with 150 species of birds, ponds, streams, centuries-old trees and walking paths. A marvelous natural wonder that extends for about 290 hectares and is reachable from the towns of Morozzo, Rocca de’ Baldi and Mondovì. For more information, click here.
CAVES TO VISIT AROUND MONDOVÌ
The Monregalese mountains are karst, so the subsoil is a tangled web of caves and a true paradise for speleologists. There are 3 caves which can be visited by everyone. The largest and most well-known is the Bossea Cave in the Corsaglia Valley. It is one of the most impressive caves in all of Italy. However, the Dossi Cave in Villanova, Mondovì and the Caudano Cave in Frabosa Sottana (with its adjoining adventure park) are also both very interesting to visit, each offering particular characteristics to explore. For more information on all 3 caves near Mondovì, please click here.
ENJOY THE MOUNTAINS IN WINTER AND SUMMER – WHAT DO IN MONDOVì
Walks for everyone or more technical excursions for expert mountaineers, trekking among the mountain huts on your Marguareis mountain tour is something fun to do for all outdoor lovers. And, on a clear day, from the summit of the Marguareis Mountain, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. Go discover the mountain’s unique ecosystem, extremely rich in animal and plant species and characterized by a very high biodiversity. In winter, there are ski slopes and cross-country trails (click here) that can be enjoyed by all levels. And, in the summer, these slopes become a fantastic bike park for downhill mountain biking.
WHERE TO STAY IN AND AROUND MONDOVÌ
Click here for a list of quality accommodations for your stay in and around Mondovì.
WHERE TO EAT IN AND AROUNd
For a selected list of restaurants, agritourisms and pizzerias in and around Mondovì, click here.
Find out more about what to do and see in Mondovì and its surrounding areas by clicking on: “Visit Mondovi” and “Visit Monregalese”
