Continuing his tradition of visiting territories with deep historical ties to the Principality, Prince Albert II travelled to the Piedmont region of Italy on Friday 9th October.
The journey follows the recent State visit to the Principality on 2nd and 3rd October, during which Italian President Sergio Mattarella publicly commended the network of Historical Sites for its ongoing cultural promotion.
The visit focused on three municipalities within the province of Cuneo: Niella Belbo, Cerreto Langhe, and Novello. All three belong to the Italian Association of Historical Sites of Monaco, a connection forged through historic 14th- and 15th-century marital alliances between the local Del Carretto land-owning family and the Grimaldis.
Inaugurating tradition in Niella Belbo
The day began in the rolling hills of the Langhe. Prince Albert was welcomed in Niella Belbo by Mayor Emanuele Sottimano to inaugurate the Ca’ Balon cultural hub. The new facility houses the region’s first museum dedicated to pallapugno, a traditional Piedmontese team sport rooted in local history.
Exploring the Del Carretto heritage in Cerreto Langhe
The Prince then travelled to Cerreto Langhe. Guided by Mayor Flavio Borgna, the Prince toured the historic ancestral home of the Del Carretto family, examining the tangible architectural links that connect the rural Italian hills to the history of Monaco.
A public welcome in Novello
The final stop of the afternoon took place in Novello. Welcomed in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II by Mayor Marco Pallaro, Prince Albert II visited the Church of San Michele Arcangelo.
Accompanied by traditional local flag-throwers (Sbandieratori), the Prince walked through the historic centre to the village castle, concluding the visit with a public ceremony in the estate park surrounded by local residents, civic leaders, and regional economic stakeholders.
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Click on the gallery for more images of the event. Photos credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier
