Discover Biella: Piazzo, art and city history

When looking for a hotel in Biella, the city itself can help shape your plans: medieval architecture, collections devoted to art and city history, traces of the textile industry and routes along waterways each offer a different perspective. Think about which of these aspects you are most interested in during your stay. This will help you plan a trip tailored to your interests.

Piazzo: medieval architecture and family history

The elevated district of Piazzo dates back to 1160. Its medieval character can be traced through several distinct buildings. The Portici del Piazzo surround Piazza Cisterna: their arcades consist of modules with two bays each; stone capitals and decorations made of terracotta bands complete their distinctive design. Chiesa di San Giacomo is the oldest surviving medieval building in Piazzo. Together, these buildings offer several architectural points of interest during a stay, from the form of the arcades to the district’s long history.

Palazzo La Marmora is located in Piazzo’s historic Borgo. The house museum reflects the history of 17 generations of the Ferrero della Marmora family; the house has belonged to the Ferrero family since the 14th century. The palazzo adds a family-history perspective spanning several centuries to a visit to Piazzo. If you are interested in city history, it offers another way to explore the district’s historic character alongside its medieval architecture.

Churches, architecture and collections

Remains of 15th-century frescoes survive in various parts of the interior of the Duomo. At the Battistero, by contrast, the geometry defines the floor plan: four semicircular apses extend from the sides of a central square. The Campanile di Santo Stefano can also be understood through its clear form and dimensions: it has a square floor plan, nine superimposed levels and a height of 52.60 metres. This lets you view the buildings from different perspectives, focusing on surviving paintings, floor plans or height.

The interior of Chiesa e Chiostro di San Sebastiano has a Latin-cross floor plan and a barrel vault decorated with coffering. A 16th-century fresco in a chapel in the left aisle depicts the Crucifixion, with the city of Biella in the background. The Museo del Territorio is located in the cloister of the Basilica di San Sebastiano. Its archaeological section covers a period from palaeontology to the Middle Ages. The historical-artistic section spans the Renaissance through to collecting in the 20th century. The two sections therefore focus on different periods.

Industrial history, a garden and walking routes

Cittadellarte is housed in the former premises of the Lanificio Trombetta wool mill. The former factory is an outstanding example of industrial archaeology in Biella’s historic textile centre. Works by the artist Michelangelo Pistoletto are exhibited there. The site thus brings together the history of the textile industry and the presentation of art—a different way to experience the city than through the medieval churches and buildings of Piazzo.

Palazzo Gromo Losa has an Italian-style rose garden with various rose varieties, a long pergola, box hedges and water basins. The garden’s appearance may change depending on the season. If you plan to make it a regular part of your visit, check its current condition in advance.

The short “Biella e l'acqua” loop runs east of the historic centre alongside the Torrente Cervo and passes through an industrial-archaeology area. The Sentiero Gorgomoro includes a historic mill with a forge, as well as a teledynamic system for generating and transmitting hydraulic energy. Access is from the Riva district via the climb to San Giuseppe; route D1 begins just below the church, initially follows the Torrente Oropa and then leads into a forest. The routes offer different points of interest: the loop focuses on the Torrente Cervo and industrial archaeology, while the Sentiero Gorgomoro features historic milling technology and a route along the Torrente Oropa. Route conditions may change; check the current trail conditions before setting out.

Plan your trip to Cittadellarte

Cittadellarte is about 2 kilometres from Biella San Paolo railway station. Regular direct trains serve the station from Santhià and Novara. Check the timetable for your travel date, as train connections may change.

Discover more destinations: Vivaro, Sandigliano, Campiglia Cervo, Masserano, Bioglio, Salussola, Tollegno, Muzzano.

Return to the main travel overview: Biella.