Terranova: Trails along the Sesia and culture

For a stay in Terranova, several themes come together: trails along the Sesia, the patron saint’s feast in honour of St James, and the history of the Grangia di Gazzo. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish the event date from the different types of trails: the feast takes place around 25 July, while route details such as the course, proximity to the river and trail conditions provide practical points of reference. This can help you decide whether to focus on outdoor activities, culture or a combination of both.

Trails along the Sesia: hiking and cycling

The southern section 5 of the Cammino del Sesia runs from the Terranova bridge to the Sesia’s confluence with the Po. Part of the section follows the river. At a point 900 metres from the bridge, it reaches a gravel road leading to Aqvatica Lake, which is closed to cars. The endpoint, proximity to the river and road surface provide practical reference points for a walking trip. As conditions and access along the route may change, check the latest information before setting out.

The Castellania–Oropa cycle route also passes through Terranova: its sixth stage runs from Casale Monferrato to Santhià and passes through this agricultural village. The stage is entirely flat and follows quiet country roads through agricultural settlements on the Sesia’s orographically right bank. This presents two distinct types of route: a flat cycling stage on quiet roads and the Cammino’s section close to the river. If outdoor activity is your main focus, you can choose between the cycle route and the walking trail based on which better suits your plans.

Patron saint’s feast in July

The celebrations in honour of St James take place in the hamlet of Terranova in the days around 25 July. The secular festivities include evenings featuring dancing and food. If the feast is a factor in your stay, plan your travel dates around this period. The recurring feast date provides a seasonal reference point, although the programme may vary from year to year.

Grangia di Gazzo and local history

Località Grangia di Gazzo, in the Terranova district, brings together several historical associations. From 1197, the Grangia was dependent on the Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria di Lucedio. The Grangia’s Church of the Virgin Mary was rebuilt in the first half of the 18th century and dedicated to the Nativity of Mary. These two milestones help put the history in chronological order: the Grangia’s dependence on the abbey in the Middle Ages was followed centuries later by the church’s reconstruction. Archaeological evidence is also associated with the area: according to Soprintendenza archive records, a site in Località is linked to finds of ancient columns.

Another historical landmark is the Terranova war memorial. The bronze sculpture was created by Nino Campese of Casale and unveiled on 7 September 1924. It provides a more recent point of reference alongside the Grangia’s earlier history: the memorial is a 20th-century work, while the Grangia’s ties to the abbey date back to 1197.

Discover more destinations: Quargnento, Melazzo, Acqui Terme, Monleale, Ovada, Merana, Ciglione, Spigno Monferrato.

See the overview of the wider area: Alessandria.