Project Description
Monte Greppino and Cascinassa
Monte Greppino and Cascinassa
Where it is
We are in the Ligurian Apennines, in the province of Savona. An area nestled between the Langhe of Piedmont and the Ligurian coast, where history and nature are inseparable. Here the “greater history” is interwoven with the “local history” made up of traditions, good food and villages that are worth discovering. And to do this, you should follow the traces of the many castles and forts that tell of how this area was of strategic military importance and, for this reason, at the centre of historical battles.
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Browse the map and discover the places to visit, where to eat and where to stay, chosen by Legambiente
Five and six. These are the number of wind turbines making up the respective wind parks of Cascinassa and Monte Greppino. The former generates a total of 20 MW, the latter 25.2 MW. They are named after the places that host them in the Municipalities of Cairo Montenotte, Pontinvrea and Stella. You can understand the environmental importance of these wind parks by considering a simple fact: every year, the two parks, thanks to the energy produced by the wind, contribute to reducing more than 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
Villages, castles and culture
Arriving in Cairo Montenotte, in the upper Val Bormida, it is impossible to not feel that you are being observed from the walls of the Carretto-Scarampi Castle which dominates the old part of the village and the surrounding valleys. The fortress, constructed between the 6th and 7th centuries, was destroyed by cannon fire during the war in 1625 that witnessed the clash between the Republic of Genoa and the Duchy of Savoy. Today, there only remains some parts of the walls that have been restored and can be visited and provide an idea of the fascinating story of the castles typical of Italian history. A short distance from the village, we can find the ruins of Rocchetta Cairo Castle, also called the “Castellazzo”, situated in the district of the same name. This fortress also suffered a tragic destiny. It was destroyed by the Napoleonic troops during the Battle of Montenotte from 11-12 April 1796.
However, the history of Cairo is not only about castles. If you have the chance to visit the village in August, we suggest you follow the historical re-enactment of “medieval Cairo” which, apart from its interruption due to Covid, has taken place regularly since 1991 in the streets of the historical centre. Parades in period costume, medieval spectacles and games, music and fireworks can be enjoyed along with sampling typical local Ligurian food and wine products. It’s not to be missed!
And from one castle to another, we arrive at Dego. Along with Cairo Montenotte, this small village in the north of Val Bormida also shares an important historical moment. After the Battle of Montenotte, the Austrians, defeated by Napoleon, retreated to Dego taking advantage of the presence of the village’s military fort. Here, from 14-15 April 1796, the famous second battle of Dego was fought which witnessed, once again, the victory of the French troops over the Austrians. Here as well, the castle has been reduced to a ruin, but can be visited today following the Napoleonic track that leads from the village up to the castle. Before leaving Dego for the next stop, we suggest trying the “subricchi”, a typical specialty of local peasant cuisine based on potatoes, cheese, eggs, nutmeg and herbs.
Vanni Oddera, freestyle motocross champion who goes to hospitals with his motorcycle therapy and entertains children in cancer wards and disabled kids
