Quargnento and the minor Basilica of San Dalmazio

Speaking of isolated gems in the province of Alessandria, Quargnento is worth mentioning. The village is surrounded by the delightful Piedmontese rural environment and boasts a very long history (we are talking about origins dating back to Roman times). The town is small and charming and boasts two main structures: the Villa Cuttica and the minor Basilica of San Dalmazio. The first is an eighteenth-century stately home, while the second is the real local jewel. This is the only basilica of the diocese of Alexandria; welcomes with a facade full of statues and dominated by a motif of white and reddish horizontal lines. There are mentions of the building as early as the ninth century, but the basilica will get its present appearance in 1576, the date of completion of the works. The whole is richly frescoed and contains the remains of San Dalmazio, placed under the polyptych made by Gandolfino da Roreto. In addition to the wooden altar by the artist Francesco Arbuffi, the church catches the eye for its large organ (produced by the Lingiardi brothers). It is therefore not an understatement to consider the minor Basilica of San Dalmazio a marvelous shining casket of art and ancient craftsmanship.