GTL mountain biking | Stage 9 Bossolasco - Serravalle Langhee 9: Bossolasco-Serravalle Langhe

is commonly called the "village of roses". In fact, this enchanting village is decorated with hundreds of climbing roses that cling to the stone walls of the houses, like a veil for a bride.

As the name explains well, Serravalle is placed to guard the main ridge route, as well as one of the passes that crosses it from Cravanzana/Feisoglio, towards Cissone/Dogliani. It is therefore located at the crossroads of an ancient crossroads of strategic commercial and military importance. Once equipped, for this reason, with a very well-equipped fortress (of which few bases, wells and cellars remain), the compact and well-maintained village stands on a higher hill, dominating, from the height of its 762 metres, a beautiful slice of Langa. The village, having lost its mighty castle, retains only the beautiful municipal building and, above all, the Oratory of San Michele (12th century) with late 15th century frescoes and a remarkable sandstone rose window. Don't miss the magnificent view of the Alps from via Belvedere.

A visit to the hamlet of Villa is recommended (where the second nucleus of the town stood, the first was on Belbo of Roman origin) with the partisan command commemorated by a plaque on the first house, and the beautiful little church of San Michele Arcangelo, Romanesque apse and baroque façade. Likewise, the hamlet of Bossolaschetto at the beginning of the route is worth a visit, where the solitary church of S. Maria Maddalena remains one of the most intimate and open places in the entire Belbo Valley.