ABSTRACT

The Fraschetta area, Novi Ligure has strategic importance; first because its territory is characterized by all the afore-mentioned techniques which produced valuable urban mansions and houses as well as farmhouses in the surrounding countryside, along with schools and churches; harmonious

1 THE CONTEXT

1.1 The fraschetta area

The lower part of the Alessandria province (Piedmont Region, Italy) and the so-called Monferrato territory are the richest areas in Piedmont of earthen buildings; here old farmhouses, as well as private and public buildings (schools, etc.) still coexist. This unique heritage in Italy (apart from the Sardinia and Calabria Regions) marks both urban (and historical) centres (palatial mansions, churches, public buildings, etc.,) and rural landscapes.