Overview
Along the waterways of the Po
Immersed in the countryside of Piedmont, less than an hour's drive from Cuneo, is Casalgrasso, whose name seems to indicate that the soil here is lush and fertile. The village is dominated by a large crenellated castle, which once belonged to the House of Romagnano and is now home to a social welfare community. Strolling through the historic centre, you can see the neo-Gothic town hall, the Church of St John the Baptist and the Church of the Confraternity.
Further away, you will find the Church of Our Lady of Grace, while outside the village another landmark is the 12th-century Abbey of St Mary Staffarda. Just a little further on, a must-see destination is the Royal Castle of Racconigi, one of the historic Savoy residences, with beautiful interiors and 170 hectares of magnificent French-style gardens.
The village is part of the Po River Park. If you take one of the cycle paths that criss-cross the park, you can observe many species of wildlife, including storks, in their natural habitat. If you're cycling with the family, then pay a visit to Rio Pascolo delle oche, a spring that flows between the villages of Villafranca Piemonte, Moretta and Cardè, where you will find the Sentiero delle Ochette (Goose Trail). It is an easy route suitable for everyone, 12 kilometres long. Another easy cycle path is the Airasca-Moretta trail, created along the old railway line.
