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End of the wine and grappa making: some people in this area have no hills, although they live just a stone throw from them. Blame the Tanaro River, which marks a sharp border with the wine growing Langhe: on the other side of the river, heading west, there are no hills. Hence, no vineyards. You need to think of something else to promote this area. For Cherasco it is snails, exhibitions, Napoleon and antiques - a weird mix that works just fine, judging from the flow of visitors. Mind you, the town does have more than a few features that make it worth a visit, even without 'additional' ideas. To wit: a peculiar city plan, where everything is at right angles, with a central street ending with two triumphal arches (one of which, from the 17th century, is dazzlingly white and unusual). This creates a sort of central “non-piazza”: the center of the city is simply the so called cardo-decumanus intersection (between the north-to-south and the east-to-west streets). And secondly, two buildings with frescoes by a painter called Taricco, one of those names you have never heard before but will remember for quite some time, especially after visiting the Sala della Sapienza (Hall of Knowledge) of the Palazzo Gotti di Salerano, i.e. the Adriani Museum, painted in the 1700s and still exhibiting splendid colors. However, the City government officials have come up with the idea of offering, in addition to this, also a culinary feast with snails cooked in all possible manners; the everlasting memory of Napoleon, who signed a famous edict here; and most importantly, art exhibitions and antique markets that have gained international acclaim. “What a total surprise!” cries a French tourist enthusiastically, as we admire the Tanaro and Stura Rivers, represented as a man and a woman crossing their feet in water, on the facade of the City government building. We agree.
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