Montalto Dora (Montàut in Piedmontese) is an Italian town of 3,401 inhabitants in the metropolitan city of Turin, in Piedmont. In Roman times a Roman consular road built by Augustus passed the Via delle Gallie to connect the Po Valley with Gaul.
The castle
The castle of
Montalto Dora, which stands at an altitude of 405 meters on Mount
Crovero in Montalto Dora, dates back to the mid-twelfth century;
over the centuries it has undergone numerous destructions,
rebuildings and renovations, until it assumed, in 1890, with the
restoration designed by Alfredo d'Andrade, the appearance it has
roughly preserved until today.
Today privately owned, the castle
is an integral part of the Roman village on which it stands and has
an irregular square plan with a double wall. A high tower dominates
the internal part around the keep, the annexed chapel, the rooms
that can be partially visited and the guard walkway. In ancient
times it functioned as a fortress to guard the Ivrea lake plain and
the road leading to Valle d'Aosta.
The castle was used by the
director Dario Argento for the shooting of the Dracula 3D movie.
The parish church of Sant'Eusebio
From the year 1242 Montalto
was a parish under this title. In 1812 the parish church of
Sant'Eusebio was restructured and embellished during the
construction of the Napoleonic road to Aosta. Inside the church
there are paintings by Visetti di Montanaro and the tomb of the
Vallesa.
The Casana villa
The villa was built by Baron
Valesa who had received as a gift in 1589, from Duke Vittorio Amedeo
I, the fiefdom of Montalto Dora as a reward for his services as
governor during the siege of Turin. The palace was initially a very
modest residence castle with little garden. Around 1818, Count
Alessandro, major general of the armed Regie and minister of state,
with the help of the architect Giuseppe Maria Talucchi, transformed
that residence into a large and grandiose palace.
The church
of San Rocco
Built between the end of the fifteenth and the
beginning of the sixteenth century, the church finds its own
historical and artistic interest by virtue of the cycle of frescoes
that almost entirely covers the internal walls
The Pistono
and Nero lakes
In the municipal area there are two small lakes
created in the Pleistocene by the ancient glacier that ran through
the Dora valley, the Nero lake (299 m aboce sea level, north of the
town) and the Pistono lake (280 m a.s.l., east).
The airfield
In the municipal area, parallel to the river, there is an airfield
surveyed and reported in the international aeronautical cartography.
Due to its position it is an important aeronautical point of
interest for those who enter or leave the Aosta Valley in flight.
The track has a grass surface, a length of 620 meters and a width of
30 meters, with an orientation of 14-32.
By plane
The city is 54 km from Cuneo International Airport, which
is connected to the city by aerobus; domestic and international flights
depart from this airport.
Domestic flights: Alghero, Cagliari,
Trapani.
International flights: Bacău, Bucharest-Otopeni, Casablanca,
Međugorje (Mostar), Palma de Mallorca, Rhodes, Tirana.
By car
The city of Neive can be reached via the A33 Cuneo-Asti motorway and the
A6 Turin-Savona motorway.
On the train
The closest station is
Alba, from where there are bus connections to Neive. The Neive station,
located on the Alba - Castagnole line, has not been in service since
2014.
By bus
Neive is connected with other localities through
the Bus Company.
There are four types of wine that are produced on the Neivesi hills: Barbera and Dolcetto d'Alba, Barbaresco and Moscato d'Asti.
Location and Basic Stats
Coordinates: 45°29′N 7°52′E
(approximately 45.483°N, 7.867°E).
Area: 7.5 km² (2.9 sq mi).
Elevation: Town center ~252 m (827 ft) above sea level; the comune
ranges from about 238 m (lowest in the Dora Baltea valley flats) to 499
m (on morainic hills).
It borders the Dora Baltea river to the west
and neighbors communes such as Borgofranco d'Ivrea (north), Lessolo and
Fiorano Canavese (west), Chiaverano (east/southeast), and Ivrea (south).
The Morenico-Canavese section of the historic Via Francigena
pilgrimage route runs through the area, offering scenic foot and bike
paths through its varied terrain.
Geology and Landscape: The
Ivrea Morainic Amphitheatre
Montalto Dora forms part of the Ivrea
Morainic Amphitheatre (Anfiteatro Morenico di Ivrea or AMI), one of the
world's best-preserved and most impressive glacial landforms. This ~500
km² elliptical complex of moraines, kame terraces, and outwash plains
was built during the Quaternary (Pleistocene) glaciations by the massive
Balteo Glacier (Dora Baltea glacier). The glacier, over 100 km long and
up to 800 m thick at its peak, flowed down the Aosta Valley and fanned
out into the Po Plain, bulldozing vast quantities of debris.
The
amphitheatre features:
Lateral moraines (especially the Serra
d'Ivrea, Europe's largest left-lateral moraine — a nearly straight, 20
km-long ridge system with sub-parallel crests rising up to 600 m above
the inner plain in places).
Frontal moraines (hilly arcs from Agliè
to Viverone).
A flatter central plain (210–270 m elevation)
interrupted by isolated hills.
Montalto Dora lies in the Canavese
Zone, between the Inner and Outer Canavese Lines (part of the major
Insubric Line tectonic fault). This zone exposes heterogeneous bedrock
(metamorphic and igneous rocks) amid glacial deposits, drawing
geologists to study the area's complex geology. The landscape mixes
gentle morainic hills, forested ridges, and flatter agricultural plains.
Monte Crovero (a prominent morainic hill) rises here, crowned by the
historic Castello di Montalto Dora (~405 m elevation). The castle
dramatically overlooks the waters of nearby Lake Pistono.
Hydrology and Water Features
The Dora Baltea (a major left-bank
tributary of the Po River, fed by Aosta Valley glaciers) marks the
western boundary. It flows through a broad valley and has shaped the
local hydrography through post-glacial erosion, creating gorges and
capturing tributaries.
The area is famous for the Five Lakes of Ivrea
(Lakes of the Morainic Amphitheatre), glacial-origin features dammed or
scoured by ice. Within or immediately adjacent to Montalto Dora:
Lake Pistono (Lago Pistono): Small glacial lake (~0.12 km², ~280 m
elevation, max depth ~16 m) directly below the castle — its reflective
waters create one of the area's most iconic views.
Lake Nero (Lago
Nero): Another glacial lake nearby.
A unique feature is the Terre
Ballerine ("Dancing Lands") — a floating peat bog formed after the
natural drainage of ancient Lake Coniglio. A thick layer of peat rests
on water, creating a springy, trampoline-like surface where you can
bounce and watch vegetation move (especially after rain).
These
wetlands and lakes contribute to high biodiversity, with mixed deciduous
forests (oaks, chestnuts, birches), meadows, and aquatic habitats
supporting rich flora and fauna.
Climate
Montalto Dora has a
humid temperate/continental climate typical of the Piedmont foothills
(Köppen Cfa/Cfb transition). It experiences:
Cold winters:
January averages ~44°F (7°C) high / 29°F (-2°C) low; occasional frost or
light snow.
Warm summers: July averages ~82°F (28°C) high / 64°F
(18°C) low.
Annual temperature range: Roughly 29°F to 83°F, rarely
extreme.
Precipitation: Moderate year-round (~800–1,000 mm annually),
with spring and autumn wetter; summer thunderstorms possible. Humidity
is higher near the lakes and river.
The morainic hills create
microclimates — slightly cooler and more exposed on ridges, milder in
the sheltered valley.
Prehistoric and Ancient Foundations (Neolithic to Roman Era)
Human
presence in Montalto Dora dates back to the Neolithic period, roughly
6,500–7,000 years ago (around 5,000–4,000 BCE). Archaeological evidence
shows a pile-dwelling (palafitticolo) village on the shores of Lake
Pistono, one of the glacial “Five Lakes of Ivrea.” These lakeside
settlements were part of a broader prehistoric culture in the Alpine
foothills, relying on fishing, hunting, and early agriculture. Traces
were uncovered in modern excavations, leading to the creation of the
Parco Archeologico del Lago Pistono in 2017, which includes a full-scale
reconstruction of a Neolithic pile-dwelling for educational purposes. An
exhibition space near the town hall displays artifacts illustrating
daily life in these early communities.
The area was likely inhabited
continuously into Roman times. The site formed part of a Roman-era borgo
(village) connected to the important nearby city of Eporedia (modern
Ivrea). It lay along or near the Via delle Gallie, a major Roman road
linking the Po Valley to the Aosta Valley and Gaul. This positioning
gave the location early strategic value for trade and military movement,
foreshadowing its medieval role.
Early Medieval Period and the
Castle’s Origins (10th–13th Centuries)
The documented history of
Montalto Dora centers on the castle, whose construction began between
the late 10th and early 11th centuries. Initially, it consisted of a
simple fortified tower, a connecting defensive wall, and a chapel
dedicated to Saints Efisio (Ephisius), Mark, and Eusebius. This early
structure served as a military outpost.
The first written record
appears around 1140–1141 in a document referring to it as castrum
montsalti or castrum monsalti. At this time, the fortress fell under the
jurisdiction of the Bishop of Ivrea, who controlled much of the Canavese
territory. The bishop granted the entire Montalto valley as a fief to
the lords of Settimo Vittone in the 12th century. Its location was
militarily and economically critical: it overlooked the plain, guarded
the entrance to the Aosta Valley, and stood along the Via Francigena—the
great medieval pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome (the
Morenico-Canavesano stretch still passes through the town). Pilgrims and
travelers would have seen the castle as a sentinel and landmark.
The
name “Montalto” itself derives from Latin mons altus (“high mountain”),
with “Dora” referring to the nearby Dora Baltea river, emphasizing its
elevated, defensible position.
Savoy Era, Feudal Expansions, and
Conflicts (14th–17th Centuries)
In the 14th century, the castle
passed into the possessions of the Duchy of Savoy (some sources cite
1313 or 1344 as key transfer points), becoming a tool for their
expansionist ambitions in the region. In 1403, the Savoys enfeoffed it
to the De Jordano di Bard family (with shared lordship involving the
counts Enrico), who undertook major expansions. During the 14th and 15th
centuries, the structure was significantly enlarged and reinforced: a
double defensive wall was added (inner wall ~14 m / 46 ft high with a
160 m / 525 ft patrol walkway and 142 merlons), corner turrets, and the
current chapel (dedicated to Our Lady of Grace). The chapel’s
15th-century frescoes—attributed in part to Giacomino da Ivrea—include
Saint Christopher (protector of pilgrims on the Via Francigena), the
Madonna suckling the Child, and saints such as Margaret, Liberata (with
infants Gervasius and Protasius), and Lucy. These artistic elements
reflect both defensive and devotional functions.
The castle faced
repeated attacks. A notable early assault occurred in 1339 by Ghibelline
forces from nearby San Giorgio (recorded in chronicles by Azario). The
most devastating came in 1641 during the Piedmontese Civil War (part of
the broader European conflicts). French troops under the Marquis
d’Harcourt, besieging Ivrea against the Duchy of Savoy, attacked
Montalto Dora. They dismantled the interior while leaving most external
walls intact—a testament to the fortress’s robust construction.
By
the early 18th century (around 1732), the castle passed to the Vallesa
family, who held it until the early 19th century when the line died out.
They received comital titles from Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy for loyal
service, possibly linked to events like the War of the Spanish
Succession.
18th–20th Centuries: Restorations, Romantic Revival,
and Modernity
After the Vallesa extinction, the property went to
Count Severino of the Barons of Casana, who initiated restoration and
enhancement works in the early 19th century. Around 1890, prominent
Piedmontese architects Carlo Nigra and Alfredo d’Andrade (key figures in
historic preservation) oversaw a major renovation. They restored the
castle to its medieval appearance, using it as a direct model and
inspiration for the Borgo Medievale reconstruction in Turin’s Parco del
Valentino—an iconic project celebrating Piedmont’s heritage. The castle
took on its current irregular quadrangular plan with the massive square
keep, double walls, and enhanced park.
In the 19th and early 20th
centuries, the broader town saw industrial activity, including mining
operations and a teleferica (cableway) system linked to resource
extraction in the morainic hills.
The castle changed hands again: it
belonged to the Ramezzana family from around 1956 (some records note the
related Allioni di Brondello family acquiring it in 1963). From the
1960s–1980s, they carried out extensive internal restorations and park
enhancements. Today, it remains private property, occasionally open for
guided tours (e.g., during the annual Sagra del Cavolo Verza festival)
and used as a film location—most notably in Dario Argento’s Dracula 3D
(2012) and the 2006 TV series The Black Arrow. In 2024, rumors
circulated of actor Johnny Depp’s interest in purchasing it when listed
for sale.
Cultural and Modern Legacy (20th–21st Centuries)
Montalto Dora produced notable cultural figures, including writer
Salvator Gotta (1887–1980), author of popular novels and librettos, born
here before his family moved to Ivrea.
In recent decades, the town
has embraced its prehistoric roots. The 2017 Archaeological Park and
exhibition space highlight Neolithic life, tying the area’s ancient
wetlands and glacial lakes into a cohesive heritage narrative. The
castle and surrounding morainic landscape (part of the Laghi di Ivrea
Site of Community Interest) contribute to the region’s UNESCO-recognized
cultural and natural value.
The town’s economy evolved from feudal
agriculture and defense to small-scale farming (famous for its
frost-resistant cavolo verza Savoy cabbage), tourism, and services. It
remains a quiet, community-focused place of about 3,300 residents, with
the castle, lakes, and Via Francigena drawing hikers, pilgrims, and
history enthusiasts.
The coat of arms was recognized by decree of the head of government
of July 14, 1936. It can be blazoned:
«Red, to the trofogliate
cross, set aside by four similar crosses, all of silver. Commune
exterior ornaments.
The gonfalon is a white cloth.
The roads leading to Neive cross the typical landscape of the Langhe,
made up of white hills planted with vines: we are in an area where great
wines are produced. Neive is in fact also a destination for visits to
its wineries, often housed in stately homes, such as the
eighteenth-century Palazzo dei Conti of Castelborgo.
There are
four types of wines that are produced on the Neivesi hills:
Barbera
d'Alba;
Dolcetto d'Alba;
Barbaresco;
Moscato d'Asti.
It has been included in the club of the most beautiful villages in
Italy, it also boasts the orange flag of tourist-environmental quality
awarded by the Italian Touring Club.
Infrastructure and transport
The municipality can be easily reached thanks to the Castagnito
tollbooth on the A33 motorway, only a few kilometers away.
La società di calcio Ivrea Montalto milita nel campionato di Terza
Categoria. Il campo ha sede presso la zona delle regioni Ghiare e ha una
capienza di 2100 posti. La società vanta un discreto settore giovanile a
level regional.
La squadra di basket cittadina, Pallacanestro
Montalto Dora, gioca nel campionato di Serie D.
La squadra di
volley femminile, A.S.D. Pallavolo Montalto Dora, Milita nel Campionato
di Serie C.