Biellese

<< Piedmont

The small Province of Biella, or Biellese, is mostly mountainous. The provincial capital and most of the main towns are located just at the foot of the mountains, while the main attraction in this area, the Sanctuary of Oropa, is located among the Alps.

Biella

Biella is a city located at the foot of the Alps of Piedmont. The town emerged during the Middle Ages and was contested for centuries between local powers, but it was mostly ruled by the House of Savoy. Biella became known in the Modern Era as an important site for wool production, and in the 19th century it turned into an industrial center, a role that the city keeps to this day. The Sanctuary of Oropa is located on the nearby mountains.

Piazzo

Piazzo is the medieval neighborhood of Biella, located on a hill and connected to the rest of the city with a funicular that was inaugurated in 1885. This area is centered around Piazza Cisterna and it is adorned with various historic decorated palaces. The three ancient city gates known as Porta di Ghiara, Porta d’Andorno, and Porta della Torrazza can still be seen on the roads leading toward Piazzo.

Biella Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santo Stefano

The Biella Cathedral (Duomo di Biella) is the most important church in the city, located on the central Piazza Duomo. The church was built starting in 1402, but heavily reworked in Gothic Revival style during the 18th and 19th century. The facade is adorned with a large portico, while the interior hosts various frescoes and artworks. Adjacent to the church is a medieval Romanesque Baptistery, which houses some ancient frescoes and decorations.

Basilica of San Sebastiano

The Basilica of San Sebastiano is a Renaissance church erected during the 16th century in Biella. The church is best known for hosting various interesting artworks by Piedmontese artists. The former monastery adjacent to the basilica now hosts the Museum of the Territory (Museo del Territorio), a museum of local history and art. The collection of the museum includes various archaeolgical findings, not only from Biella but also from Egypt and America, and a rich exhibition of beautiful artworks.

Oropa

Oropa is a religious site located among the mountains near Biella, famous for its large sanctuary and the beautiful natural environment that surrounds it.

✪ Sanctuary of Oropa

The Sanctuary of Oropa is an important religious complex located on the mountains near Biella. A 13th-century statue of the Black Madonna is venerated here. According to tradition, the sanctuary was founded in the 4th century, but the first churches were probably erected here a few centuries later. The sanctuary was gradually expanded with the addition of various buildings. Among these are the royal apartments of the House of Savoy, now hosting a museum, and the 18th-century Porta Regia designed by Filippo Juvarra. Between the 19th and 20th century, a new large church, known as Basilica Superiore, was added to the complex. The sanctuary is surrounded by 19 chapels that form the Sacro Monte di Oropa, one of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, a series of religious sites located among the mountains across the two regions.

Candelo

Candelo is a town located just east of Biella, known for hosting a well-preserved fortified area dating from the Middle Ages.

Ricetto of Candelo

A ricetto is a medieval fortified area mostly found in the villages of Piedmont. The best preserved example of a ricetto is located in Candelo. Erected during the Late Middle Ages, it houses numerous tiny buildings surrounded by walls and fortifications. Similarly to other ricetti, it was not inhabited, but only used to safely store goods and occasionally as shelter for the inhabitants of the village. Now the ricetto is a tourist destination sometimes used to host cultural events and activities.