La Boutique Piemonteisa

Discover this gem of the Alessandria province and its centuries-old goldsmithing tradition. Nestled among the rolling hills of Piedmont, overlooking the Po River and surrounded by generous countryside, lies Valenza—a small town that might, at first glance, seem like many others in northern Italy. But dig just beneath the surface, and you'll find that Valenza shines with a light all its own: the glow of gold. It's no coincidence that it's known as the "City of Gold"—a title that’s not merely evocative, but one that encapsulates centuries of history, tradition, and artisanal mastery. Valenza is, in fact, one of the most important goldsmithing hubs in Europe and the world—a place where art meets technique, and where the craft of goldsmithing remains a cornerstone of local identity. A city pulsing with gold: tradition meets innovation One of the most fascinating aspects of Valenza’s goldsmithing tradition is its perfect balance between past and future. Despite stro...

Let’s discover the wonders of this city and some of its lesser-known curiosities. Casale Monferrato is a town in the province of Alessandria, in the Piedmont region of Italy. It lies at the foot of the eastern hills of Monferrato and is crossed by the River Po. The historic center of the city has an aristocratic and solemn appearance that reflects the grandeur of its past and its historical role as a strategic stronghold. The surrounding territory is exceptionally fertile and rich in vineyards that produce the renowned wines Barbera, Freisa, Grignolino, Dolcetto, and Rubino. The town, of Roman origin, was granted by Emperor Charles III, known as “the Fat,” to the Diocese of Vercelli, from which it rebelled in 1215. It was subsequently razed by the people of Vercelli but rose again thanks to Frederick II of Swabia. Over the centuries, Casale came under the rule of the marquises of the Aleramici family, then the Visconti, followed by the Paleologi, and later the Gonzaga and the House...

Let’s travel to the Vercelli area, where we discover this abbey that once served as a landmark in the "land of rice". The Abbey of Santa Maria di Lucedio is located in Lucedio, one of the hamlets of the municipality of Trino, in the province of Vercelli, Piedmont. It was founded in the early 12th century by a group of monks from the Cistercian Order, who came from the monastery of La Ferté in Burgundy. The land they settled on—partly marshy and partly wooded—had been donated to them by Marquis Ranieri I of Montferrat. These monks were the first to introduce rice cultivation to Italy, making Lucedio the birthplace of Italian rice. From this location, the system of "grange" farms spread—agricultural enterprises developed through deforestation and land leveling. After reclaiming the area, the abbey was likely built around 1123. From that moment, under the careful leadership of its abbots, it began to expand both spiritually and temporally. One abbot who particular...