The waters of the Bormida are collected from the high Apennines and flow across the zone towards the more famous Langhe and Alto Monferrato, eventually to the Pianura Alessandrina. The progressive drop in altitude makes the Langa Astigiana an extremely varied and rich terrain, not least historically and gastronomically.

It was a fought over from the period of the most ancient tribes of Italy, from the Liguri Stazielli to the Romans. Devastated by the Saracens, it was still known as 'luoghi deserti' or deserted places' when Emperor Otto I gave it up to Aleramo, the Marquis of Monferrato. Aleramo was obviously not seen as much of a threat as documentation from the time described his new possession as 'Vasto'. Read 'guasto' or broken.

The subsequent continuing and continuous feuding and dynastic feuds between the 16 fortified towns of the Langa Astigiana came to an end on 15 August 1708, with the arrival on the scene of the Duke of Savoia, Prince of Piemonte and King of Cyprus. The reference is to his title, not three separate noble men. What was left us is a territory of castles, medieval borghi and a corner of Italy all to discover.

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