The castleThe Monastery was bought by Marquis Enrico II del Carretto and gifted in 1216 to nuns belonging to Cirstencenses order. Near the church was built the cloister having elegant capitals made of sandstone. In an adjacent courtyard we can find an interesting XIV century old fresco representing Our Lady, Santo Stefano and the del Carretto family. On 1802 the Monastery was closed and emptied from monks; Since this is a private property. In the early '900, for wish of the Marquis Carlo Centurione Scotto, the architect Coppedè took care of restructuring in gothic-renaissance style. Now is a property of Bruno family.

The Monastery wing in the second floor, from cloister and the garden of the famous Msetutta restaurant, was target of a preserving restructuration and hosts the Relais del Monastero, ideal residence basis for those like natural landscapes full of history and for those having work relationships with the several Val Bormida enterprises.