The Langa® Stone is extracted from our quarry CAVA ALICE, located in the town of Cortemilia. Here, in full respect for the environment around us, we do digging with mechanical means, without the use of explosives or chemicals. The stones extracted are variable in size and are selected locally and stacked for future use. CAVA ALICE is located in a remote area from the inhabited center and the passage and, with its opening, has valorized land that had been abandoned for their imperviousness. According to the cultivation plan we proceed to the recovery and refreshment of the area used for extraction.
The excellent quality of the Langa® Stone extracted from our CAVA ALICE allows us to have a constant production and to produce precious items in unique pieces.
Next: views of the quarry and the extracted material
The Langa® Stone, Pietra di Langa® in Italian, takes its name from the “Alta Langa” (Upper Langhe) the area of South Piedmont characterized by rolling hills and famous for its fine hazelnuts. To the unique geological history of the area is due the presence of this exclusive sandstone, a sedimentary rock composed by sand grains and originated during the Miocene epoch, when the region was occupied by the sea. The rock was gradually formed together with the hilly landscape. At a depth of 700-800 meters below the surface fine mud deposits were amassing and inside them worms, as the Paleodyction, small crustaceans and solitary corals, as the Flabellum, were digging tunnels, while on the surface of muds were slithering molluscs and sea urchins. Periodically sea storms and telluric movements originated landslides undersea, adding layers of sand alternating with muds. The growing enormous pressure of sediments originated the rocks. The muds became marl (calcariferous clay) while the sand grains, cemented by the carbonates of sea water formed the sandstone slabs of Langa® Stone. Toward the end of the Miocene epoch the tectonic movements of the African plate toward the European caused the emergence of hills. They were than transformed during Quaternary period by watercourse erosion that, digging the soil, has shown the typical alternating layers of marl and sandstone.
At side: Paleodyction, fern and other special stones.
In its natural state the Langa® Stone (Pietra di Langa®) is mostly mixed with the soil. Digging it out of the ground was therefore necessary to obtain a field good for cultivation or to build and at the same time the building material. Otherwise the stone of Langa was naturally made available by torrents and landslides. At last, also abandoned or ruined stone buildings themselves, have become a source of stones for new building.
When men started to cultivate the soil during Neolithic, stones were an obstacle to agriculture, but later they learnt to use them to build terraces. Stone became an easily available material, useful to build houses, walls, arcs, streets, bridges, castles, churches. Still today dry stone walls or steps and terraced fields are part of the typical landscape. Traditional local architecture is therefore a unique combination of the simplicity of natural stone and the building techniques developed over the centuries.
At side: terracing of Monte Oliveto in Cortemilia, mill and church Feisoglio, walls and castle of San Benedetto Belbo, tower of San Giorgio Scarampi.
Today the Langa® Stone (Pietra di Langa®) is an appreciated building material, particularly aesthetical and in harmony with nature, as well as exclusive for its traditional construction methods. It has also become a touristic attraction, inviting visitors to itineraries across stone architecture in the Bormida, Uzzone and Belbo valleys. A high number of buildings of unique value have maintained their beauty still today after many centuries.
At side: the parish church of Santa Maria in Cortemilia, Cortemilia tower, castle Gorzegno, castle in Serralunga d’Alba, Roman artifacts.
Today the Langa® Stone (Pietra di Langa®) is appreciated for being an ecological solution, as well as a fine choice for any indoor or outdoor use. The Langa Stone is biocompatible in many aspects. First of all it is a ready to use material in nature and therefore requires less energy consumption to be produced. A.L.P respects the territory during the extraction operations and ensures a low environmental impact in the stone transformation process. Also, stones are free of any chemical substance or added paint. Once installed they guarantee high thermic isolation and capability in retaining heat.
A.L.P. Langa® Stone is certified in conformity to CE laws.
At side: Church of San Sebastiano in Bergolo, castle of Prunetto.