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How to get there: Take Highway A26 (Genoa-Alessandria) and exit at Ovada. Continue along the State Route towards Francavilla.
You can also reach the town from Serravalle Scrivia (Highway A7 Genoa-Milano).
Francavilla Bisio is 168 meters above sea level and it is located in a fantastic position thanks to the South Gavi hill and the Northern plains near Basaluzzo. The town is located on the last offshoots of the Ligurian Apennines before the Painura Alessandrina in a valley that has the Lemme Torrent (Lemuris). In fact, this torrent begins in Francavilla Bisio and it slowly widens towards the plains.
The place-name of Francavilla Bisio derives from the union of a small community not far from the town Bisio and the joining of two words that make up “Francavilla.” This place-name signifies a “Villa free of fiscal burdens.” One must remember that the meaning of “villa” once meant “farm” and then later its meaning meant “town.”
Francavilla is mainly an agricultural center that has many cereal fields as well as vineyards which make Francavilla famous for its prestigious D.O.C wines such as: Gavi, Barbera del Monferrato, and Dolcetto.
Just like many other neighboring towns, Francavilla was the home of noble families which can be admired thanks to the Castle.
The castle was built neat an old Benedictine Abby and its structure is very mighty and it has been perfectly maintained. It also has a beautiful square embattled tower. It was a noble residence for the old noble Guasco family that lived in Villa di Bisio.
At Francavilla Bisio very popular is the St. Giovanni Battista Brotherhood that usually participates at religious processions by carrying enormous crucifixes and in this way their tradtion and culture will carried out throughout the centuries.
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