Castello di Monticello d'Alba

About the museum

The castle was built by the bishops of Asti to defend the borders of the contado (surrounding countryside) after the Saracen raid on Alba in 920. Damaged during a siege in 1187, it was rebuilt in 1348, when the fief passed to the Malabaila family.

In 1376 the Roero counts received from the bishop the territory of Monticello and Castagnito and fitted the building with battlements, towers and machicolations: since then the property has remained in the same family, which used it as its usual residence. In the 15th century the complex was extended to the south-west; at the start of the 17th century and in 1706 the interiors were improved.

In 1787, on the occasion of a family wedding, the manor was transformed into an elegant country residence: the architect Carlo Emanuele Rangone di Montelupo kept the medieval external structure, removed part of the defensive features and renewed the interior decorations in eighteenth-century taste. In 1827 Xavier Kurten redesigned the English-style park that surrounds the hill. The castle has three floors with a walkway and is characterised by three different towers, one square, one round and one octagonal.

Highlights

• Three towers of different shapes: square, round and octagonal
• Hall of Arms and chapel of Santa Barbara
• Teatrino della Frutta and Galleria di Diana Cacciatrice
• Inner courtyard with 14th-century structure
• English-style park designed by Xavier Kurten, visited via QR code

Operated by

Famiglia dei conti Roero di Monticello

Visitors per year

approx. 2,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for journalists and professional guides. The “castello + parco” ticket costs €10 (full price) or €7 (reduced).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the architectural structure and the constraints of the Soprintendenza, access is difficult for people with mobility disabilities; blind visitors may enter with a guide dog.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family tickets and educational workshops for schools; dogs are admitted on a lead in the park and inside.

Getting there & parking

By car: Bra 9 km, Alba 10 km, Cuneo and Turin 50 km. Turin Caselle airport is 85 km away. The castle can also be reached by the Roero Bike Tour cycle route (Anello 2); bicycles may enter the park.

Amenities & dining

Toilets are those of the Foresteria Conti Roero. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the castle or the park.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Meetings, team building, video and photography services can be organised on request (info@roerodimonticello.it).

Plan your visit