A town in the province of Cuneo, located between the Langhe, in a valley crossed by the River Rea, surrounded and protected by mountains morphologically heterogeneous, the village of Dogliani is divided into two historical centers: the main centre, was by the river and the district of the Castle situated higher up, still characterized by typical medieval features. The old settlement is surrounded by a series of outlying villages of more recent construction. The singular urban plan was designed by Schellino, a local architect, that lived and worked here in the second half of the XIX century. The center, traditionally devoted to agriculture, is famous for the production of a particular quality of Dolcetto wine.
As evidenced by the recent discovery of important findings, the area was inhabited since ancient times by Ligurian and Celt populations. Between the I and II century A.D. it was colonized by the Romans, as revealed by the presence of a necropolis. With the fall of the Roman Emprie the territory was prey of raids by the Hungarians and the Saracens. During the medieval period, Dogliani was an important center in the district of Alba, a fief under the rule of the Saluzzo Family, a branch of Aleramicis, along with Belvedere Langhe and Bonvicini, while later it was ceded to the Marquis of Busca. In the XVI century the town was occupied by the French and the Spanish, until in the XVII century it passed to the Savoy, that ceded the domain to the Solaro. Only in the XIX century the center assumed the current urban physiognomy, characterized by Gothic pinnacles and towers.
Attractions:
- the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace, an imposing Gothic style building, whose façade is embellished with a mullioned window, conic steeples and two symmetrical bell towers. The entrance is preceded by a portico with four columns;
- the church of Saints Quirico and Paul, built in the XIX century on the remains of the original parish church of the XII century, which features a massive structure with a central dome, classical porch topped by a gable above the entrance;
- the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph, built in a classic style and is preceded by a portico with four columns and pediment;
- the Church of San Lorenzo with three naves, which was built in the XII century where once was situated a previous late Romanesque style church;
- the XVII century Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, better known as of the Battuti;
- the Tower of the Cessi Family, erected under the supervision of the Schellino. It features a circular structure, interrupted by windows of different shapes, including two series of lancet windows, and is topped by a series of battlements;
- the Clock Tower, named so for the presence of a large clock. It has a square base and is topped by battlements;
- the Monumental Cemetery, whose entrance is marked by steeples and pinnacles of red brick, an art work of the Schellino;
- the XV century Porta Soprana;
- the Historical Museum of Archaeology entitled to G. Gabetti.