Casalino: Churches, History and Trails

Casalino can be explored through a range of themes: sacred architecture, a dated peace treaty, places of remembrance and trails through agricultural areas. If you are planning a stay, these highlights can help you shape your time around your interests. The historical record spans from the probable construction of a church in the late 11th century to events in the 20th century, alongside a network of trails and a landscape of rice fields.

Churches and medieval history

The Chiesa di San Pietro probably dates from the late 11th century. Its three-aisled nave has a wooden roof and a semicircular apse in the center and to the south. The church is also associated with a precisely dated event: on 25 May 1194, the peace treaty between Novara and Vercelli, known as the Pace di Casalino, was concluded there. The history of architecture and the history of the treaty come together here in a specific building and a named historical event.

The present-day Chiesa Parrocchiale dei SS Pietro e Paolo was built between 1841 and 1844 to a design by the architect Luigi Cerasoli. The wall paintings take center stage at the Annunziata Chapel: it preserves two fresco cycles from the second half of the 15th century, which came to light in two registers in 1995. These examples offer different ways to explore local architectural and art history, from the construction date of a church to the discovery of medieval paintings.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santo Stefano is also associated with a special cultural treasure. Its wooden crucifix is connected with the Festone, celebrated in Cameriano every 25 years. The last transport of the crucifix took place in October 1998. If you are interested in an upcoming festival date, check the schedule before your trip rather than inferring a new date from the past transport.

Trails through rice fields

The I Strai di Mundini trail network extends for more than 30 kilometers. The trails can be used on foot or by bicycle. The length of the network does not indicate how long any individual route takes. The trails pass through agricultural areas where various rice varieties are grown, including special, early and late varieties. This combines active pursuits with a glimpse of a landscape shaped by agriculture.

If you would like to include walking or cycling in your trip, the trail network offers two explicitly mentioned options. The local trail distance and the agricultural surroundings provide different points of reference: you can consider whether your plans are guided more by the network itself or by the cultivated landscape it crosses. Before setting out, it is advisable to check local trail conditions.

Castles in Cameriano and Ponzana

The surviving remains of the Castello di Cameriano include red outlines of old battlements and brick walls dating from the mid-15th century. The Castello is privately owned; visits are limited to the exterior. Check in advance whether a visit is currently possible. The Castello Caccia di Ponzana dates back even further: its construction probably began in the 11th century.

Another historical focus is in Quarti. On 30 March 1945, seven Garibaldini of the “Volante LOSS” were victims of a massacre there. The Monumento alla Resistenza and the Parco della Pace were built at the site of the massacre. Both places of remembrance therefore refer to the same historical event, but remain distinct places.

Nature reserve in the wider regional area

The Riserva Naturale della Palude di Casalbeltrame is located in the wider regional area around Casalino. It is surrounded by rice fields and includes wetland habitats for numerous resident, breeding and migratory waterbird species. The Riserva Naturale della Palude di Casalbeltrame is a distinct regional point of interest and should not be equated with the entire area of Casalino.

Public access to the Riserva Naturale della Palude di Casalbeltrame is limited to opening days and, within the reserve, to marked trails. Alternatively, it is possible to visit with a guide authorized by the park. Check the opening arrangements before you arrive. This will let you consider the reserve as an excursion during your trip while keeping the applicable access conditions in mind.

Discover more destinations: Miasino, Bolzano Novarese, Divignano, Tornaco, Massino Visconti, Orta San Giulio, Marano Ticino, Agrate Conturbia

For the main travel overview: Novara.