Olmo Gentile

Olmo is said to be the visible bond between the Langhe and Liguria, between the hills and the sea; a land rch in seashells and marine fossils.

If you’re looking for the best view of the Langhe around Asti, go to Olmo on an autumn day, at sunset.

The bishops of Acqui were right four centuries ago, when they decided to spend their summer holidays in Olmo; they built a two-floor stone balcony in the restored castle.

The town is all there: the church, the town hall, the castle. But Olmo offers other things: try to walk down the road to Lavagnini, where are some of the most ancient farms in the Langhe, some big, square houses covered in dark stones, built in the far XV and XVI centuries.

There was the town, once: the French destroyed it and the people were obliged to move higher up the hill.

History

The first news about the town are of 1142, when Olmo was given to the marquis of Cortemilia.

It was later owned by the Del Carretto and Scarampi; in 1595 it was named a marquisade and given to Carlo Guglielmo di Valperga; later, to the Scaglia di Verrua family.

In 1613, during the succession war in Monferrato, it endured a Spanish siege.

It became then a property of the Savoia family.