GAVI
This area develops along one of the most important communication routes, the Postumia, which from the Ligurian hinterland of Genoa led to Monferrato and the Po Valley towards Lombardy.
History and art
Gavi, an ancient Roman garrison, stands on the right of the Lemme stream and is fortified by ancient walls that defended it for seven hundred years. The Fort stands on a rocky spur, which embraces the entire eastern Alto Monferrato. Founded in the thirteenth century, it underwent subsequent modernizations by the Republic of Genoa, four centuries later. In Arquata Scrivia, Palazzo Spinola today houses the town hall and is a fine example of Ligurian baroque; on a hill, near the ancient village of the town, stands a fourteenth-century tower, the remains of a feudal castle and symbol of the city, also a legacy of the Marquisate Spinola, one of the most important noble families of Genoa.
The Spinola Castle in Tassarolo is still owned by the family today. Libarna, a visitable and well-preserved archaeological site, was a Roman city in Liguria, on the left bank of the Scrivia, near today's Serravalle Scrivia. From the land of the cycling champions, Novi Ligure is worth a stop at the greatest homage to the history of cycling and of the bicycle: the Museum of Champions, over 3000 square meters to relive the myths of a sport together with its protagonists. We remember, among others, Costante Girardengo, a thoroughbred Novese, and Fausto Coppi who had his sporting baptism in this city and lived practically all his life. On the right of the Orba river, you can see Capriata d'Orba whose town is dominated by the remains of Castelvecchio: part of the walls that surrounded the village and the bastions are visible.
