Alice Bel Colle: sights, history and trails

It is located about 5.8 kilometers (in line of air) from Acqui Terme, in a panoramic position among vast vineyards, on the eastern side of the Rio Medrio valley, a left tributary of the Bormida river. Alice Bel Colle Stazione is located on the valley floor, on the Turchino state road, not far from the exit of the railway tunnel that crosses the spur between the Belbo and Bormida valleys.

The village was owned by the Counts of Acquesana until 1070, it passed partly under the domination of the Marquises of Occimiano that they gave up their rights to Alessandria, and in part to Marchesi del Monferrato who, however, extended their dominion over the entire feud in 1278. With the death of Giovanni Giorgio del Monferrato in 1533, the last of the Monferrin dynasty, the country became, thanks to the mediation of Emperor Charles V, possession of the Gonzaga of Mantua. In 1708, finally, the village was submissive to the rule of Savoy.^[5]

The economy is mainly agricultural, with the exception of two small workshops for agricultural and mechanical precision tools, as well as some craft workshop. Viticulture with excellent production of moscato, barbera, brachetto, sparkling wine and Dolcetto is the main agricultural activity.

There are two social wineries and as many companies for the production of wines and grappa. Discreet is the production of cereals and forages.

Below is a table relating to the administrations that have succeeded one another in this municipality.

• The Piemonte country by country, Florence, Bonechi, 1993.