The Langhe represent the essence of a truly peculiar territory. So much so that in 2014 they were listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. And, if we talk of special features, the Langhe building is certainly no exception. These distinctive features originate from the very morphological characteristics of the area. Those who built in the Langhe had to follow the conformation of their hills and rationalise the orientation of the buildings for the benefit of the sunshine. As well as take into account the significant slopes, which made it necessary to pave the steepest sections.
Similarly, the builder had to do it with the materials that the area made available. The main element was certainly stone, collected from the fields and immediately used to erect the proverbial farmhouses. The stone was accompanied by terracotta, another fundamental component for the characterisation of local architecture. And don’t forget wood, the vegetable fabric par excellence and ideal complement for the building industry of the Langhe. The excellent availability of wood mass, thanks to the luxuriant forest heritage, has encouraged the population to make extensive use of wooden additions. In all of this, natural lime was the binder of the elements providentially offered by the land of Cuneo and Asti hills.
When it comes to typical Langhe building, the sandstone drywall, an authentic hallmark of local architecture, deserves an honourable mention. Anyone wishing to appreciate a few examples can go into the territories of the municipalities of Serole, Somano, Cravanzana, Trezzo Tinella – some among many – to admire the artisan skill in fitting the blocks of sedimentary rock and the bricks. Lastly, tree-lined rows and hedges often end up framing the iconic representations of the Langhe farmsteads.
