Cherasco is a small town in Italy’s Piedmont region. It’s part of the Cuneo province, close to the cities of Turin as well. The town’s area amounts to 81 sq km and the town has a population of roughly 7600 people.
The town still retains its medieval essence with the old buildings and monuments. Cherasco does not attract many visitors but things have been changing. Due to the rise in agritourism in Italy, visitors are coming to experience the relaxed atmosphere of the village. Still, the economy of the town is based mainly on agricultural activities and on the production of wine.
What can tourists see in the town?
Attractions in Cherasco
Here is a list of the main attractions, perfect for an afternoon stroll in Piedmont.
The Synagogue of Cherasco
The synagogue of Cherasco is the most interesting place to visit in town. It’s one of the only sixteen synagogues that still survive in the region. Although it is not clear when the synagogue was built, most scholars believe that it would have been built earlier than 16th century. The building is small and various windows light it, facing the courtyard.
A residential building is located within the courtyard. This is where the Jews entered to pray. The building has an 18th century baroque Torah ark and bimah with Solomonic columns that are typical in Italian synagogues. The baldachin located inside the building has been beautifully painted and gilded. There is a small women’s gallery and a room that was once used as a school for girls.
The Cherasco Castle
It was first built in the 14th century for defense purposes and the fortifications were added later on. The castle is large and imposing and it has one tower in each of its corners. There is a smaller central tower and a draw bridge. Over the centuries the castle has been renovated a few times, but much of the façade that visitors can see today is still original. The castle offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and the hills that surround the town of Cherasco.
Palazzo Salmatoris
The Palazzo Salmatoris was built in the 17th century by a noble family of Cherasco. It has been an important landmark in the town ever since it was built. The palace was built by a rich businessman who had gained much fortune in silk trading, an activity for which Cherasco was famous. This building has remained important to Cherasco for its beautiful architecture and is used today for various cultural events and shows.
Museo Civico
The civil museum of Cherasco is housed in the beautiful 17th century Palazzo Gotti di Salerno. The museum has a small collection of archeological findings and some art works done by the artists of the region. However, the museum is mainly famous for its coin collection, which is the largest in Southern Piedmont.
Getting to Cherasco
Cherasco is located quite close to Turin and Cuneo so reaching the town is easy. The best transport method is the bus. The state buses that operate in Piedmont depart a few times every week. You can catch them at the Turin and Cuneo stations -and from several other smaller villages and towns in the region.
Those who have their own cars can comfortably drive down to town. There is no airport in Cherasco so visitors coming from other countries can first reach Turin and then reach the village either by bus or taxi. Turin is located 50 km from Cherasco so taxis are also easy to find.
Moving Around Cherasco
The best way to explore Cherasco is on foot. The town is not very large so most tourists prefer to walk around to explore the center of town. The historic center is the most interesting place to visit.
This part of Cherasco has many narrow streets which can be visited only on foot, since navigating around the area can be quite difficult. Visitors who have their own cars can also driver around to the other parts of town. Parking spots are easily available, and traffic is generally not a problem.
Cherasco, where to stay
This is a small town and not a touristy destination -yet. Accommodation is scarce, but high-quality. Most visitors prefer to take a one-day excursion and stay in Turin or Cuneo -where there are more lodging options.
In Cherasco, there are a few small hotels and bed & breakfasts where visitors can get comfortable and budget-friendly rooms. Some of the best hotels in Cherasco are: Hotel La Spiga, Hotel Express by Holiday Inn Langhe Cherasco and Al Cardinal Mazzarino Di Antonio Baravalle.
Eating in Cherasco
Cherasco has a handful of good restaurants for visitors. Most of the restaurants in town are small family-run businesses where the locals like to eat. The food served in most hotels is simple and made with fresh ingredients and local cheese.
Some of the best restaurants in town are: Ristorante La Spiga, ristorante Operti, Osteria Umberto, Pane E Vino Di Morino Emiliana, and Vecchia Italia di Rolfo Patrizia.
Shopping in Cherasco
The town has a century-old tradition of working with silk and other textiles. Visitors will find several shops in town that sell silk cloths, local textiles, and home spun textiles.
The historic center has many such smaller shops where visitors can purchase these items at affordable prices. Other than these, visitors can also purchase fresh cheese and olive oil. Wine is another gift idea, since wine yards fill the hills of Piedmont. In Cherasco, you can find these unique, typically Italian bottles.
