Biella between culture and nature

Biella can be explored through a range of themes: its textile history, medieval urban development, museums, and buildings sit alongside opportunities to enjoy the natural landscape of the Biellese. You can shape your trip around the interests that matter to you—from art and architecture to paths through forests and mountain scenery. Local cuisine is part of the experience, too: Canestrelli di Biella are crisp, rectangular wafers with a single layer of chocolate.

Textile history, museums, and historic buildings

Cittadellarte is located in the former Lanificio Trombetta, a decommissioned factory in Biella’s historic textile district. Today, works by Michelangelo Pistoletto are displayed there. Guided tours take place every weekend, on Saturdays and Sundays, at three different times. Tours for groups and school classes can be arranged by reservation from Tuesday to Friday. As the schedule may change, it is advisable to check the tour details again before your trip.

You can also take its location into account when planning: Cittadellarte is about two kilometres from Biella San Paolo railway station. Frequent local and regional bus services connect the site with Biella and nearby towns; check the timetables before your trip.

The Museo del Territorio Biellese spans the period from prehistory to the 20th century. Its collection is divided into an archaeological section and a historical-artistic section. This division offers two different ways to explore the area’s history: through archaeological evidence and through historical and artistic themes. If you visit several cultural sites, you can see the different eras from a range of perspectives.

The elevated district of Piazzo dates back to 1160, when work began to fortify the hill. Among Biella’s historic buildings is the Battistero, an example of Lombard Romanesque architecture from the second half of the 10th century, built over the remains of a Roman burial site. The cornerstone of the Chiesa di San Sebastiano was laid in 1500. The Chiesa di San Giacomo is a Gothic church built in the early 13th century and remodelled several times. These buildings differ in age and style, offering a reason to explore the city’s history beyond a single century.

As of July 22, 2026, the Funicolare del Piazzo was closed, and a feasibility study was to be prepared for its reopening. If you plan to visit Piazzo, check the status of the Funicolare in advance.

Sacred sites and organised visits

The Santuario di Oropa comprises a monumental complex that includes the cloister, the Old Basilica, and the New Basilica. Oropa is one of nine separate Sacri Monti complexes in the mountains of northern Italy. Guided visits to the sanctuary can be arranged and may also include the Museo dei Tesori, the Sacro Monte, the monumental cemetery, and the Botanical Garden. If you are planning such a visit, check availability before your trip. The different stops make the visit more than simply viewing the basilicas: you can also include the museum, garden, and other parts of the complex.

Trails and landscapes in the Biellese

In Parco Burcina, a rhododendron valley, woodland, and meadows sit alongside one another; the park also features a pond and views of the mountains and the plain. Bessa offers a different kind of experience: a dense network of easy trails crosses the area, and some can also be used for mountain biking or horse riding. The landscapes therefore differ not only in their surroundings, but also in the activities described for each area.

The Oropa basin is a starting point for reaching the peaks around the sanctuary, which rise to 2,000 metres. The Cervo, Elvo, and Oropa valleys also offer hiking trails to the highest peaks in the Biellese, with views of the plain and surrounding mountains. When planning, these details can help you choose where to focus: parkland and trails in Bessa are complemented by hikes centred on peaks and views.

More to discover in the Biellese

The Rete Museale Biellese brings together ecomuseums, museums, castles, palaces, natural areas, and other sites of interest throughout the Biellese. As of 2025, the network included 47 museums and other cultural institutions in 32 municipalities. This gives an idea of the variety of places involved, without suggesting that every stop covers the same subject.

The Ricetto di Candelo features a distinctive architectural form: its approximately 13,000-square-metre pseudo-polygonal layout is enclosed by defensive walls. Along with the churches, Piazzo, and the museums, it adds to the options for travellers interested in architecture and history. Those who would rather spend their time outdoors will find different points of interest in the parks and mountain landscapes described here. Biella and the Biellese thus offer several distinct reasons to visit; choose your hotel location to suit the places and activities you have planned.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Viverone, Donato, Vivaro, Biella, Camandona, Graziano-Ruta, Campiglia Cervo, Lessona, Bioglio, Bellaria, Romagnano, Cavaglià, Villa Del Bosco, Graglia, Muzzano, Sordevolo, Torrazzo, Sandigliano, Magnano, Pollone, Netro, Torazza, Candelo, Solesio, Caprile, Roppolo, Portula, Cerrione, Sala Biellese, Salussola, Cossato, Andorno Cacciorna, Sostegno, Zimone, Bielmonte, Tollegno, Masserano, Vigliano Biellese, Mongrando, Crevacuore, Castellengo, Simone.

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