In addition to the wonders of nature, the Biella area contains treasures of religion, culture, and art. Land of spirituality, evident from the presence of numerous places of devotion, including the Marian Sanctuary of Oropa, one of the most important in Europe... #tuttitaly
At the foot of the Biella Alps, in Piedmont, lies Biella, the city of Menabrea beer.
Biella is 51 km from Milan Malpensa (MXP), the nearest airport.
What to see
Biella is divided into an upper part (Piazzo) and a lower part (Piano).
Biella Piano is the city's oldest nucleus, comprised of the Cathedral, the Baptistery, and the Bell Tower of Santo Stefano.
The interior of the Cathedral is suggestive: with three
naves, large and bright, it features decorations made with the trompe-l'oeil technique.
Between the Cathedral and Palazzo Oropa stands the Baptistery, the most significant monument in the city, used for baptism. Partly built with recovered Roman material, it contains frescoes attributed to the master of Oropa.
The Bell Tower, 52.60 meters high, is all that remains of the ancient parish church, demolished in 1872.
The old church was accompanied by a complex that included, in addition to the bell tower, the houses of the religious belonging to the Capitolo: it was demolished in 1872 to make way for the present parish church.
To go up to the Piazzo, you can walk along the small roads called "coste" or take the funicular that takes you up to the top.
The heart of upper Biella is Piazza della Cisterna, a large square that takes its name from the Palazzo dei Principi dal Pozzo della Cisterna, now owned by the municipality.
On the south side of the court, there is a more intimate
square, overlooked by the thirteenth-century church of San Giacomo and Palazzo Gromo di Ternengo.
The walk along the paved alleys, among the medieval houses decorated in terracotta and the old stately homes, is suggestive.
To enjoy the panoramic points of Biella Piazzo, you can look out from the bridge in Via Avogadro to admire the city and from Piazza Cucco for a view of the surrounding hills.
Museums
Coming down from upper Biella, don't miss the opportunity to visit Cittadellarte - Fondazione Pistoletto and the MeBo - Menabrea Botalla Museum.
Cittadellarte - Fondazione Pistoletto, located in the former Trombetta wool factory, is a non-profit organization established in 1998 by the artist Michelangelo Pistoletto, a leading exponent of poor art. The goal of the creative laboratory is to connect public art, relational art,
and the artist himself with all the areas that make up
society to influence social and intercultural evolutions
MeBo - Menabrea Botalla Museum tells the story of Menabrea beer and Botalla cheese, from which the Sbirro, the beer cheese, was born. Official site
Typical meal
The representative dish of Biella is polenta concia, corn polenta with cheese and butter.
