Province AL
Novi Ligure, AL
A town in the Alessandria province on the historic road between Milan and Genoa, long under Genoese rule, which shows in the painted facades of its centre. It is known for chocolate manufacturing and as the home town of two defining figures of Italian cycling.
Sights
- Museo dei Campionissimi, devoted to the cyclists Costante Girardengo and Fausto Coppi and to the history of the bicycle
- Pieve di Santa Maria, the oldest church in town, 12th century, with a fresco of 1474 by Manfredino Boxilio
- Palazzo Delle Piane, the most substantial of the town's palaces
- The castle tower of 1447 and the surviving sections of medieval wall
- The Genoese-style painted house fronts through the historic centre
Things to do
- Visit the Museo dei Campionissimi, worth the time even without a cycling interest
- Cycle in the Novese hills, the training roads Coppi used
- Buy local chocolate, both Novi and Pernigotti are from here
- Taste Gavi and Dolcetto from the vineyards immediately south
Annual events
November
Fiera di Santa Caterina
A street fair of around 300 stalls plus a funfair, formally established by the Genoese Senate in 1607 and now past its 415th edition.
Autumn
Dolci Terre di Novi
Local food and confectionery exhibition, past its 28th edition.
When to visit
September to November, for the hills, the wine harvest and the Santa Caterina fair.
