HISTORIC AND ARTISTIC ITINERARY
There are numerous historical and artistic monuments to discover in Biellese. Where to start? The tour can only start from the town of Biella.
Starting from Biella Piano you can see Romanesque monuments such as Battistero, the bell tower of Santo Stefano. In Piazza Martiri there is the Teatro Sociale Villani that was first built in Via Italia in the 20th century and then, in 1863 for the will of brothers Villani take place in Piazza Martiri; for more than two centuries the structure has hosted the most importants plays of the Italian theater season. Today it is owned by the town of Biella.
Palazzo Cisterna
Near the historic center in Piazza Lamarmora is situated Villa Schneider: a building in Art Nouveau style that was confiscated during the Second World War by the SS and by forces “repubblichine”, as headquarters and a place of torture, in which partisans were captured and then imprisoned at the Piazzo.
Biella Piazzo is the historic district of the city, that is located on a hill which can be reached on foot or by funicular railway, opened in 1885. It is the seat of important palaces like Palazzo La Marmora, Palazzo Ferrero and Palazzo Cisterna. The first is like a house-museum that tells the story of the family La Marmora from the Renaissance to the Risorgimento. The complex has maintained over eight centuries its original structure, furnishings and archives.
Ricetto di Candelo
But the visit does not end here because the surrounding area is rich in architectural jewels: about 5 km far you can find the Ricetto di Candelo, a medieval village composed by over 200 buildings used like a warehouse in times of war and during the years has been chosen as a set for dramas.
Castello di Zumaglia
Testimony of the feudal past of Biella is the castle of Zumaglia dating back to 1291, it is located on the protected area of the Brich di Zumaglia. The building has two spacious terraces where you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the town of Biella and its surrounding area; inside there is a large room and the cistern to collect rainwater.
Overlooking Lago di Viverone lies the castle of Roppolo, dating from the ninth century. From the fort you can admire a wonderful landscape with colors ranging from blue to gray and green of the mountains and of the plain. The castle can receive different events and it has a catering service where you can taste the wines of Enoteca Regionale della Serra.
Biellese has not only historical witness but also artistical: Michelangelo Pistoletto is the protagonist of Arte Povera that gave birth to Cittadellarte, a meeting place for young artists from all over the world giving rise to many initiatives: an example is the ancient century mill completely restored along the river Cervo.