This name refers to an area with a particularly large number of castles and old towers, for the most part situated between Nizza Monferrato and Alto Monferrato alessandrino. This is in fact the area with the greatest density of historic buildings in the whole of Europe. It is also a land of the most representative wines (in particular Barbera d'Asti, Moscato d'Asti, Brachetto d'Acqui, Dolcetto d'Asti) and grappas. It is also important for its artisan production of sweets and desserts (amaretti in Mombaruzzo). The area also abounds in white truffles.
The Communes involved in this route include Bruno, Calamandrana, Castel Boglione, Castelletto Molina, Castelnuovo Belbo, Castel Rocchero, Fontanile, Maranzana, Mombaruzzo, Montabone, Quaranti and Rocchetta Palafea. The main access points are the village of Bruno from Alessandria and from the motorway tollgates at Alessandria South; Bazzana di Mombaruzzo from Nizza Monferrato; Calamandrana from Canelli; Montabone from Savona.
There are three wine shops located in Calamandrana, Castelletto Molina and Quaranti, where there is also a museum dedicated to Brachetto wine. Calamandrana Castle hosts a theatre festival during the summer.