Castello di Rocca Grimalda

The Tower
Originally taller and topped with Ghibelline merlons, the tower is a circular brick structure with six stacked rooms. It served as a prison for centuries and still bears traces of its past occupants, visible in the soot on the walls and the graffiti etched into them. Small slits provide light in the rooms, while the top of the tower, once used for lookout, was destroyed by lightning in the late 1800s.

The Chapel
Located at the base of the western wing of the castle, it was commissioned by Giovanni Battista Grimaldi III at the end of the 1700s. It is masterfully decorated with trompe l’oeil and added polychrome stucco work, creating a dramatic visual effect with its fake windows, architectural details, balustrades, and coffered ceilings.

The Cellars
Impressively large and meticulously detailed, the vast cellars are mainly to be found at the base of the 18th-century wing. They feature expansive spaces, pointed arches and exposed brickwork. Currently, they are part of the tour circuit, and they are also being prepared to host the production of the family winery, Rocca Rondinaria, which specialises in natural, organic and biodynamic wines.

The interiors
The courtyard provides access to various rooms, formerly used as warehouses and agricultural spaces, now converted into private apartments and B&B accommodation. From the grand Langa stone staircase, guests access a large, bright south-facing salon today used for events and weddings. There is a small devotional niche with an altar from the 1700s to one side, and a presepio made from seashells. On the walls, there is a reproduction of some of the characters from ‘The Suitors’, a fresco executed by Luca Cambiaso for the Genoese Grimaldi ‘Palazzo della Meridiana’. Among the portraits is a scene depicting Battista Grimaldi in the guise of Ulysses. This floor also includes a living room and a dining room, used to offer breakfast to those staying at the B&B. The main ‘piano nobile’ floor is reserved for private family apartments. There are also other small apartments available for guests, either as a B&B or for charming vacation accommodation.

The Garden
The layout dates back to the mid-1700s when Battista Grimaldi III, having completed the majestic western façade, decided to expand the space in front of the Castle and create a splendid lookout over the Orba valley. Recently restored, it is divided into 3 parts: the Italian garden, the romantic woodland garden and the secret or medieval monastic garden.

The history of Castello di Rocca Grimalda
The Castello di Rocca Grimalda is located in a dominant position over the wide Orba Valley. Its construction evolved initially focusing around a grand circular tower from the late 1200s, likely built under the Malaspina family. Originally part of the Marquis of Monferrato‘s domain, it subsequently came under the control of the Marquises of Gavi. In 1431, during the military occupation of Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan, the castle, still serving exclusively defensive purposes, was assigned to Gian Galeazzo Trotti, a mercenary captain of the Duke, who began the transformation of the building into a noble residence.

In 1570, the fiefdom was purchased by Battista Grimaldi, a Genoese patrician, whose family maintained ownership of the castle for more than 250 years. They completed its construction at the end of the 1700s, including the majestic western façade and the creation of the scenic Italian garden. The influential and long-lasting presence of the Grimaldi family led to the town being definitively renamed “Rocca Grimalda”.

Today, the Castle is owned by an extended family with deep roots in Liguria and Piedmont. They have meticulously restored both the garden and the property, transforming it into a welcoming and comfortable residence for themselves and their guests.

Services
The Castle is open for individual and group visits all year round, by reservation. Tours, led by the owners, include the garden, the hall, the adjacent salons, the chapel and the cellars.

Accommodation is available in the B&B in small apartments for 2 or 3 guests, located inside the castle. Breakfast is served in a room on the piano nobile floor. There are also charming holiday apartments, for 4 to 6 people, equipped with a kitchen and suitable for extended stays. Guests can enjoy the garden for reading, conversation and relaxing on the large lawn, sunbathing in peace and tranquillity even on the hottest days.

It is also possible to taste the certified organic and biodynamic Dolcetto wine produced by the family winery “Rocca Rondinaria”.

The expansive garden, grand hall and cellars are occasionally used for weddings and special events. These venues offer an evocative and elegant atmosphere, where the family’s warm hospitality and the allure of exclusivity create truly memorable experiences.

Nearby Attractions:
Acqui Terme 23 km – Alessandria 30 km – Castles of Cremolino, Prasco, Morsasco, Orsara, and Tagliolo 8/20 km
Other castles in the province of Alessandria (Giarole, Piovera etc.) 40 km – Asti 43 km – Campoligure (Museum of Gold and Silver Filigree) 27 km – Genoa (museums, palaces, and Aquarium) 50 km – Ovada (shops and supermarkets) 5 km
Sezzadio – Abbey 24 km – Bosco Marengo – Complex of Santa Croce 17 km – Gavi – the fortress 18 km – Marengo (Al) – Napoleonic Museum 25 km – Turin and Milan 100/120 km – Valenza (artistic jewelry production) 60 km – Capanne di Marcarolo Park (excursions) 27 km – Sports: Golf, swimming pools, motorbike and bicycle routes – Ligurian Levante and Ponente beaches 50 km – Spas and SPA – Acqui Terme 23 km