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In 1822, Bricherasio Palace, and Feudo Bricherasio were sold by Count Felice Cacherano di Bricherasio to the heirs of Count Vincenzo Natta, engaged in a reconstruction project on some areas of the existing medieval castle.

Design and re-arrangement of those areas involved three major interventions. The first and largest was the park, namely a huge English garden in the lower part of the castle estate and stretching over 2.5 acres; it was designed for walking and horseback riding, with pedestrian walkways, dirt driveways and an exposed brick bridge. The plant species still growing the park include poplars (Populus ssp.), horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum), larches (Larix spp.), wild cherry trees (Prunus avium), hollies (Ilex aquifolium), hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), thujas (Thuja spp.), birches (Betula spp.), black locusts (Robinia pseudoacacia), yews and ivy (Taxus baccata, Hedera spp ), as well as monumental atlas cedars (Cedrus atlantica).

The second major intervention implied the construction of a large greenhouse, with uncompromised southern exposure to capture as much light and heat as possible from the sun; its main function was that of a shelter, for protecting lemons and cedars in their pots during the winter months.

Last but not least, the renovation works included the hanging garden of Bricherasio Palace, recently cleaned and returned to the public, which offers an eye-catching panoramic view of the Lower Monferrato hills. This garden was probably built before 1800, as evidenced by some pictorial representations. Inside the garden, there’s a peculiar cave which is definitely not a very common feature in the castles of Monferrato and is part of those intriguing furnishings of the neo-Gothic period, used to entertain and amaze noble guests and visitors alike.

According to tradition, several species of trees must have been planted in the original hanging garden, including some palms and a Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica), placed in Italian-style grassy beds bordered by low box hedges (Buxus sempervirens), to create small paths.
The garden also includes a tank for collecting rainwater used for irrigation.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)