Monferrato hosts a treasure trove of more than 80 sites, including parish churches, churches and abbeys spread across the provinces of Alessandria and Asti.
In the Alessandria area, the Benedictine abbey of Santa Giustina di Sezzadio (11th century) has a beautiful cycle of frescoes and a fine mosaic floor in the crypt. Romanesque lines characterise the abbey complex of San Remigio in Parodi Ligure as well as the façade of the church of San Giacomo di Gavi. In Acqui Terme, in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, the original Romanesque layout coexists with works from the 16th century onwards. In Tortona, the early Christian cathedral of Santa Maria Canale is the oldest Romanesque building in town, renovated in later centuries. With its characteristic Cistercian architecture, the church of Santa Maria is all that is left of the abbey complex in Rivalta Scrivia. Other beautiful examples of Romanesque architecture that are worth visiting are the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Viguzzolo, the parish church of San Pietro in Volpedo (remodelled in the 15th century) and the parish church of Santa Maria in Fabbrica Curone (12th century).
In Asti, the Baptistery (7th century) and the crypt of Sant'Anastasio (8th century) are Romanesque monuments of inestimable value. Scattered in the rural landscape, a large number of small churches and country chapels are a sign of ancient popular devotion, such as the parish church of San Lorenzo di Montiglio (12th century) and that of San Secondo di Cortazzone (11st century), located in a Romanesque village that has remained unchanged. In Montechiaro we find the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta di Piesenzana and, on the hills of Castel Mairano, the church of Saints Nazario, Celso, Vittore and Innocenzo (12th century). In Albugnano, the façade and splendid frescoes of the Vezzolano Abbey (11th century) blend harmoniously with the surrounding hills and vineyards between Asti and Turin. The examples of Romanesque architecture found in this area, between the Po river and Monferrato, are now part of the Rete Romanica di Collina project.