A meeting between history and nature: a journey to Prasco, Italy

content:
photos:
Vote this travel review

An ancient castle nestled in the lush green hills of Monferrato, in which, in a silent room with windows overlooking a garden, a working scientist. He studied plants, ranking, describes them. He dedicated himself so assiduously to fruit trees, which he knows more than anyone else I know of his era. Every now and then receives a painter who assigns the task of portraying a variety of trees and their branches laden with fruit: peaches, apples, pears, plums, apricots and many other species.
The protagonist of this vintage postcard from Prasco is imaginary Gallesio George, the famous botanist, author of the famous work "Pomona Italian", born in 1772 in Finalborgo, but lived in the last ten years, for long periods in the Castle of Prasco .
Prasco reach along the panoramic road from Ovada Turchino that leads to Acqui Terme crossing, curve after curve, a landscape of rare beauty. We begin to discover this small country, but full of history right from its ancient castle: the Castle-Feather Gallesio accounts dating from the twelfth century and is located within a large park. His impressive square structure can be admired thanks to the three semicircular towers and crowned. In the armory of the castle we visit a small but fascinating museum, which collects ancient artifacts that tell of a time and vines, and what were the methods of beekeeping. The park also admire the Castle neviera: a large pool where one used to store the snow and ice.
If Parsch is also famous for the natural sciences, can not miss a botanical garden: you can visit at the home of Almond, Mongiut in the locality.
Continuing our walk downtown, we admire the parish church of Saints Nazario and Celso, built in the second half of the sixteenth century, as well as the Oratory of St. John the Baptist and the old church cemetery, built around one thousand.
Let's see the Chapel of St. Rocco, the country church of St. Anthony and then we move to the breaking Orbregno, the most significant of Prasco, where we visit the church of San Defendente.
We are at Orbregno for dinner at the Meeting, the restaurant was born in 1984. "At that time there was nothing here, we were the first pizzeria in the area outside the city. We started in an old farmhouse, and after years of work we moved to this structure, "explains Mr. Anthony, Tony said, while we walk around the room in the spacious garden, surrounded by green lawns and gardens cultivated by the family. We are a green oasis, which is green from the point of view of energy: on the broad roof of the restaurant shine recently built photovoltaic panels, which allow the structure to be independent in the use of electricity.
In the spacious hall we welcome Mrs. Angela and Mrs. Anna, mom and wife of Antonio, as well as their children Federica and Richard.
The heat has made the white inner wall of the oven, and here we are starting to crank out delicious pizza, great strength of the club, which also proposes to take away. Then we taste the wonderful pizzas Meeting, richly flavored, while some of us choose the Vegetarian, an explosion of fantasy, with lots of vegetables. Spelt also taste the pizza, made with organic flour, ideal for a diet low in gluten.
Many of us, while tasting pizzas, they decide not to give up taste the specialties of the restaurant, starting with a rich appetizer that includes, among other things, eggs stuffed with sauce, cake, vegetables, rolls of ham gelatin, the capricious of tuna, tomini flavorings. Also we taste the cheese and salami served on a board that read "from the wood tones."
We follow these dumplings made by Anna from goodness, topped with pesto prepared with basil from the garden, ravioli with wine sauce and pansotti the nuts. Also we enjoy excellent fresh orecchiette and cavatelli, homemade. In the space between the second choice of grilled meats, the veal chops, lamb ribs, tenderloin with pepper and grilled sausages, while some of us enjoy the filet of perch steamed and fried calamari. Washed down with Dolcetto d'Ovada hills of Prasco, and with a few glasses of good Cortese in the area.
Crowned with a gourmet dinner this socket with chestnut cream and whipped cream, tiramisu, the nougat parfait, meringue and the chocolate salami.
At the Meeting we felt like we were guests of friends, family and not in a public place. Happy to return here at the first opportunity, happy to find this too great warmth.

Francesca Bertha

INFOS:
www.comune.Prasco.al.it
www.ilritrovodiorbregno.it
Ristorante Pizzeria Il Ritrovo
Fraz. Orbregno, 19 Prasco (AL)
Tel.: 0144/375880