The city of Biella, recently awarded the recognition of 2021 Unesco Creative City and Alpine City of the Year, offers numerous archaeological, artistic and architectural sites of historical interest.
In the city, there are the Basilica and the Cloister of Saint Sebastian , a splendid example of Renaissance architecture richly decorated with frescoes inside, and the Baroque Church of the Holy Trinity, located along the pedestrian street a few steps from the baptistery.
The ancient city district - the Piazzo - stands on a small hill and retains the medieval urban layout, with low porticoes and narrow, cobbled streets overlooked by historic buildings which are venues for exhibitions and events
The Territory Museum, is an ideal starting point for discovering the Biella area, without neglecting the discovery of the picturesque gold mine from the Roman era in the Bessa Special Nature Reserve.
On the other hand, the events of the medieval period remain intact as the hamlet of Masserano, once a papal feud, and the famous Ricetto of Candelo , a fortified hamlet built by the inhabitants in the 14th century and still perfectly preserved.
Art lovers cannot help but pay a visit to Cittadellarte – Pistoletto Foundation, a project that combines the undeniable charm of the past that made the city famous, with the most innovative trends in contemporary art.
When visiting the province of Biella, one cannot help but notice the numerous castles, many of which are now private residences, which characterize the hill and the plain.
Those who love being in contact with nature will find nature reserves with a characteristic charm in the Biella area. A recommended itinerary takes the tourist on a discovery of the Burcina and Zegna Oasis Park, real nature paradises.
Lastly, along the route of the Strada della Lana (Wool Road) that connects Biella to Borgosesia, there is the Fabbrica della Ruota (Wheel Factory).
Lake and archaeological site of Viverone
Lake Viverone, with a surface area of 5.72 km2, is the third largest lake in Piedmont.
Well equipped for receiving tourists, thanks to the nearby presence of campsites, tourist villages, hotels and beach facilities, it is an ideal place for birdwatching, as it is rich in vegetation and birdlife.
Lake Viverone is also home to a prehistoric underwater settlement, included by UNESCO in the 2011 List of World Heritage Sites. It is also the meeting point between historical-devotional routes such as the Via Francigena and the Cammino di San Carlo (St. Charles Way).
The archaeological site of Viverone is part of the system of "Prehistoric Pile-Dwelling Sites of the Alpine Arc" and consists of the lower parts of more than 5,000 piles that supported the structures of a large village with a circular plan, about 70 m in diameter.
The surrounding environment – an area of marshland, meadows and poplar groves – is protected by specific Italian and European environmental protection regulations, while the village is an excellent example of a Bronze Age housing structure.
