Municipality of Bra and Village of Pollenzo

The village of Pollenzo, part of the Municipality of Bra, just 5 km away, is worth a leisurely visit to immerse yourself in its history, which begins long ago. A place of passage, both yesterday and today, it stands in a central position between the Langhe and Roero, from where you can easily reach the neighbouring hills. Ancient Pollentia, as the village was called in Roman times, was the largest settlement between Alba Pompeia and Augusta Bagiennorum (now Bene Vagienna). The Roman amphitheatre is still visible today, its remains incorporated into a series of private houses built around the central structure, preserving the layout of the ancient settlement intact. In 1762, it became the property of the House of Savoy. In 1832, Carlo Alberto purchased the Castle of Pollenzo and began a radical transformation of the village. The heart of the village is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is overlooked by the main monuments and offers a glimpse of the entrance to the Castle, now a private residence. The square is home to the Church of San Vittore, designed by Melano at the behest of Carlo Alberto as a showcase of neo-Gothic architectural solutions, with spires, decorations and frescoed interiors Opposite the church, stands the Complesso Albertino, which houses a courtyard, the university halls, the Wine Bank and the Tower, the last of the architectural initiatives begun by Carlo Alberto. Continuing through the complex, across the park of the Albergo dell'Agenzia, you will come to the remains of the Roman Theatre. Beyond Pollenzo, the town of Bra is also worth exploring, with its delightful streets, Baroque churches, historic cafés and local products. The heart of Piedmontese Baroque, it offers a glimpse into the open architecture of the 18th century, the most notable exponent of which was Bernardo Antonio Vittone. It is also famous as the birthplace of San Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, a prominent figure in Turin's Social Saints movement, to whom a statue in the town's main square is dedicated. Bra also boasts a lively cultural scene thanks to its museums, including the Civic Museum of Archaeology in Palazzo Traversa, the Craveri Museum, the Museum of La Zizzola, the symbol of the town, and the Toy Museum. Among the typical local products, Bra sausage, made with veal according to Royal Decree by Carlo Alberto, deserves special mention. Bra is also the birthplace of the Slow Food Movement, founded in 1986 by Carlo Petrini and now internationally acclaimed for revolutionising gastronomic culture by refocusing attention on quality, slowness (as opposed to fast food), respect for tradition and biodiversity.