Small cellars carved in the pietra da cantoni
In the hills of the Monferrato Casalese, between Casale and Moncalvo, the subsoil is made of a soft, yellowish sandstone called pietra da cantoni, which was used for centuries to build houses, churches and farmhouses. Under many of these buildings, the peasants dug by hand, with pick and chisel, small underground rooms, called infernot: cavities without light or air vents, carved in the rock below the cellars, where the temperature and humidity remain constant all year round, ideal for preserving the best bottles of wine, kept for special occasions.
The infernot, whose name probably comes from "inferno", recalling their depth and darkness, are often small works of art, with niches, shelves, benches and tables carved directly in the stone, and sometimes small vaults and decorations. There are hundreds of them, almost all private, hidden under houses and farms. Since 2014, the "Monferrato degli Infernot" has been part of the UNESCO site of the vineyard landscapes of Piedmont. In the village of Cella Monte, the Ecomuseo della Pietra da Cantoni tells the story of this stone and its use, and organises visits to some infernot, also open during special events. Many wineries in the area also have their own infernot and open them to visitors during tastings. The villages of the area, such as Rosignano Monferrato, Ozzano and Vignale, offer splendid views over the hills.
Tip: contact the Ecomuseo in Cella Monte to visit the infernot; in spring and autumn many are opened during the "Infernot aperti" days.
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