Underground cathedrals

Le underground cathedrals are historical cellars of Canelli (province of Asti) dug into the limestone tuff in past centuries which descend up to 32 meters underground crossing the entire Canella hill and the entire city for over 20-25 km. They are called cathedrals as they create surreal and evocative environments^[1] and are real masterpieces of engineering and enological architecture, with exposed brick vaults dating back to the early nineteenth century^[2]. In them, thousands of bottles of fine wine, in particular those of the classic Alta Langa Docg method, are left to rest at a constant temperature of 12-14 degrees, ideal for both processing and refinement.

In 2014 they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as an integral part of the city of Canelli together with similar constructions called Infernot being unique and untraceable goods in any other place of the world (fundamental requirement for admission), admission in conjunction with that of the vastest territories (to which they belong) of Monferrato, Roero and Langhe^[3].

The underground cathedrals in Canelli are 4.
Open to the public are the wineries Bosca^[4], Contract and Coppo.
Gain is the fourth winery where, in 1865, the first Italian sparkling wine was created^[5].

In the adjacent and protected area of wine excellence of Langhe, in Santa Vittoria d'Alba, there is another important underground "cathedral" used as a large industrial cellar, made famous for an episode of the second world and narrated in the film The Secret of Santa Vittoria.