November 20, 2022

Canelli and the Underground Cathedrals UNESCO heritage

The city of Canelli is the Italian capital of Spumante where, in 1865, Asti Spumante was born by Carlo Gancia. It is famous above all for its underground cellars for aging wines, real and proper Underground Cathedrals that branch out under the town, masterpieces of architecture and enological engineering, where millions of bottles are left to ferment at a constant temperature of 12-14 degrees, taking on the typical aromas and flavors of sparkling wine and wines.
Canelli has a medieval layout built around the ancient structure formed by successive stratifications around the
Castle. Its economy is therefore based on the processing of Spumante and Moscato and Canelli is known throughout the world for all the related wines and enology.
It is home to many historic wineries
Bosca , Coppo , Contratto , Gancia and the historic Bocchino distillery.
They create a unique landscape developing along the rolling hills covered by vineyards as far as the eye can see and shaped over the years by man’s work.
The visit to the Underground Cathedrals is a unique experience, the most original and characteristic place you can discover in Canelli but also the least visible.
The project that led to the recognition of the
Wine Landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato as 50th UNESCO site in Italy elected as a World Heritage Site.
A group of highly trained young people will guide you through the tour, enriching it with historical anecdotes that make the stay even more interesting. Before or after the
visit and tasting of the wines of the cellars, a tasting menu of typical dishes of the area, will make the experience an unforgettable moment.

Visita Castello Gancia
Visita Cattedrali Sotterranee Canelli

The Underground Cathedrals

You will enter one of the most fascinating places in the world of wine, welcomed by people that have dedicated their lives to grow and store one of the most famous products in the world:the wine of the Piedmont region.. You will enter the subsoil of Canelli where tunnels have been dug in the tuff for over 20 km and you will walk in silence breathing the scent of the wood of the barrels, surrounded by millions of aging bottles. We will tell you the story of the genius and passion of those who built these cellars by tasting their extraordinary wines.

The Castle of Canelli

The Castle of Canelli was built in the eleventh century to defend and control the commercial route connecting the town of Asti to the port of Savona. The complex grew bigger and bigger through the following years thanks to the fortune of the Signori governing Canelli then inherited by the Scarampi family during the Renaissance, it was enlarged and restored becoming an elegant and somptuous residence. Then dismantelled in 1617 by the Spanish during the Monferrato Succession War, it was rebuilt in 1676 by the last Marquis Scarampi-Crivelli. Carlo Gancia purchased it at the beginning of the XX century and assigned the restoration and renovation project to the architect Arturo Midana in 1929. The gardens of the Castle will be open to the TrEno tourists.

Visita al Castello Gancia
Mangiare bene a Canelli

Food and wine experience

In addition to the wines, these extraordinary lands present an equally rich local gastronomic offer: from meat, also eaten raw, to hand-made pasta and infinite varieties of cheese, tome and robiola, from vegetables to slowly cooked braised meat, to desserts. Their taste accompanied by fine wines will crown your experience.
At the restaurant you will have a rich menu with some local typical dishes: a mixed Piedmontese appetizer, a traditional first course, a second course with a side dish, a typical dessert, a glass of Barbera d’Asti DOCG, and a glass of Canelli Moscato d’Asti DOCG.

TrEno Canelli e le Cattedrali Sotterranee
Play Video about TrEno Canelli e le Cattedrali Sotterranee

Information and advice

We highly recommend that you wear comfortable shoes

The number of the platform from which the train departs is visible on the illuminated board

Please arrive at the platform at least a quarter of an hour beforehand

Any train delays are beyond our control

On the Nov. 20 TrEno, it is also possible to board and alight at Bra and Alba stations.

Departure time

Turin Canelli
09.00 Departure from Torino Porta Nuova
9.09 a.m. Departure from Turin Lingotto
10 a.m. Departure from Bra
10:25 a.m. Departure from Alba
11.00 Arrival in Canelli

Return time

Canelli Turin
5.45 pm Departure from Canelli
6:18 p.m. Arrival in Alba
6:51 p.m. Arrival in Bra
19.41 Arrival in Turin Lingotto
19.50 Arrival in Turin Porta Nuova

Visita Cattedrali Sotterranee Canelli

Canelli

Restaurant

Grappolo d'Oro

  • Train ticket
  • Welcome aperitif on board the train with Asti Spumante DOCG and artisanal Amaretti biscuits from Mombaruzzo
  • Guided tour of Canelli with the ‘landscape storymovers®’
  • Visit to the Underground Cathedral
  • Visit to the Canelli Castle Gardens (an exclusive for TrEno tourists).
  • Lunch at the restaurant
    Grappolo d’Oro

160 €

Children (4-12) € 60

Visita Cattedrali Sotterranee Canelli

Canelli

Restaurant

I Meravigliati

  • Train ticket
  • Welcome aperitif on board the train with Asti Spumante DOCG and artisanal Amaretti biscuits from Mombaruzzo
  • Guided tour of Canelli with the ‘landscape storymovers®’
  • Visit to the Underground Cathedral
  • Visit to the Canelli Castle Gardens (an exclusive for TrEno tourists).
  • Lunch at the restaurant
    I Meravigliati

165 €

Children (4-12) € 60

Visita Cattedrali Sotterranee Canelli

Canelli

Restaurant

'n Ca' 'd Basan

  • Train ticket
  • Welcome aperitif on board the train with Asti Spumante DOCG and artisanal Amaretti biscuits from Mombaruzzo
  • Guided tour of Canelli with the ‘landscape storymovers®’
  • Visit to the Underground Cathedral
  • Visit to the Canelli Castle Gardens (an exclusive for TrEno tourists).
  • Lunch at the restaurant
    ‘n Ca’ ‘d Basan

165 €

Children (4-12) € 60

Treno storico Piemonte

Canelli

Train ticket

  • Ticket Torino – Canelli – Torino
  • Full with historical train euro 62
  • Reduced (4-12) with historic train 40 euros
  • Tours, tastings and lunch are not included.

€ 62

Children (4-12) € 40