Azeglio on Lake Viverone: Nature, Craftsmanship and History

Azeglio combines the landscape around Lake Viverone with a local craft tradition and buildings from several centuries. The main attractions are easy to distinguish when planning your trip: by the lake, the focus is on the nature trail, birdwatching and lakeside scenery; in the town centre, the Ecomuseum introduces visitors to chairmaking, while churches, a tower and historic buildings reflect the area’s architectural history.

Lakeshore, Nature Trail and Birdwatching

The Sentiero della lesca is part of the Ecomuseum. The nature trail runs through the forest and along the Azeglio shore of Lake Viverone. Along the way, you can see the lake grass used for chair weaving. Here, landscape and craftsmanship meet on the same path: lake grass belongs to the lakeside environment as well as to the local weaving tradition.

Near the landing stage, a birdwatching tower provides a place to observe the surrounding landscape, particularly the birds found there. It can be reached via a connecting path. In the hamlet of Boscarina, a reconstructed pile-dwelling landing stage stands on the shore of Lake Viverone, within the municipality of Azeglio. It recalls the prehistoric site at the lake and lies within a Site of Community Importance (SCI). Check the conditions at the landing stage and in the surrounding area before your visit.

The landscape along the approach road also shapes the impression of the area: the Serra moraine hills curve gently around Lake Viverone. The lakeshore and the hills are among the natural features that define the surroundings of Azeglio.

Chair Weaving and Local History

The Ecomuseo dei Seggiolai e delle Impagliatrici in the town centre displays tools used in traditional chairmaking and chair weaving. The Sentiero della lesca complements the exhibition by revealing the lake grass used for weaving. Together, these two attractions offer different insights into the craft: one presents the tools and manufacturing process, the other the material in its natural setting.

Chairmaking and chair weaving were part of the local economy from the second half of the 19th century until the 1960s. Chairs made in Azeglio were exported to, and appreciated in, several countries, including the United States. The link between local craftsmanship and international sales adds an economic dimension to the history of the tools displayed in the Ecomuseum.

Churches, Towers and Historic Buildings

The parish church of San Martino Vescovo combines several architectural styles and was designed in 1793. Its organ was made in 1821 by the Serassi brothers of Bergamo. The architecture and organ thus reflect different aspects of the church’s history. At 52 metres high, the Torre campanaria is one of the tallest bell towers in the Canavese area.

Il Castellazzo is the oldest surviving building in the municipality of Azeglio and dates from before the year 1000. It was the residence of Azeglio’s first feudal lords and served as a defensive fortress in times of war. The origins of the Castello dei Conti d’Harcourt date back to the end of the 13th century. The castle is privately owned and is not open to the public.

The Palazzo Municipale on Piazza Massimo d’Azeglio was completed in 1860. Its Neoclassical façade features a projecting portico. The square is also home to a bronze bust by sculptor Davide Calandra, unveiled in 1896. The Cappella di Sant’Anna, at the foot of the built-up area of Azeglio, reveals another layer of history: the chapel dates from the 16th century and contains a 17th-century blue-and-gold wooden altar carved with scenes from the life of Christ. The Santuario di Sant’Antonio Abate was built in the 12th century for pilgrims travelling along the Via Francigena.

Discover more destinations: Coazze, Cambiano, Beaulard, Fiano, Arborea, Albiano D’ivrea, Chiomonte, Vestignè

For the broader travel overview: Turin.