San Genuario
The Parish Church of San Genuario is one of the most important monuments of the village. It retains some of the architectural features of the ancient church of the Benedictine Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo di Trino, such as the bell tower and the semicircular apse. The bell tower, about 30 meters high, is decorated with exposed brick bands arranged in a geometric pattern. The apse, on the other hand, has simple decorations such as slightly pronounced pilasters and hanging arches in terracotta. The church is open to the public and visitors can admire frescoes and remarkable works of art.
The Tizzoni Castle
The Tizzoni Castle was built in the 15th century by the Tizzoni family. Initially, it had a defensive function to protect the village population and crops. Over the centuries, the castle changed owners several times and, in the 19th century, it was transformed into an agricultural company with the construction of stables and other outbuildings in neo-Gothic style. Currently, the castle belongs to private owners and is not open to visitors, but the beauty of its architecture does not go unnoticed by visitors.
Traditions and Events
Every year, San Genuario hosts the traditional "Fiera di San Genuario" on the first Sunday of April. The fair, of ancient tradition, is an opportunity to taste typical local products and to buy handicrafts. Another much-anticipated event for the inhabitants of the village and nearby Crescentino is the procession for the feast of the patron saint. The procession takes place on August 11 and involves the transport of the litter with the statue of San Genuario from the parish church to the chapel where, according to legend, the saint was martyred.
Nature around San Genuario
San Genuario is surrounded by nature, surrounded by cultivated fields and forests. The village is located a few kilometers from the Po Park, a protected area that extends for about 60 kilometers along the Po River, from the border with France to the border with Veneto. The park is a privileged place for nature lovers and offers numerous outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling and birdwatching.
Gastronomy
San Genuario's cuisine offers typical dishes of the local peasant tradition. Among the typical products are cheeses, cured meats and prized wines. One of the best-known dishes is beetroot risotto, a colorful and tasty dish that combines the Piedmontese risotto tradition with the use of red beetroot, a vegetable that characterizes the local cultivation. In addition, San Genuario produces excellent "gnocchetti alla monferrina", a potato and flour-based dish typical of the Monferrato area.
Conclusions
San Genuario is a small village surrounded by nature and with significant historical and artistic testimonies. The Church of San Genuario and the Tizzoni Castle are the most important monuments of the village, but the village also offers numerous outdoor activities and typical dishes of peasant cuisine. The San Genuario fair and the procession for the feast of the patron saint are traditions deeply felt by the inhabitants of the village and by those who visit the area.
