Banchette: Castle and Local Culture

For choosing a hotel destination, Banchette offers a clear cultural focus: the medieval origins of the castle, a striking parish church, and its own festival traditions. These themes tell different stories about the town. The castle reflects change over several centuries, while the church and festivals draw attention to architecture and local customs.

The Castle: From Fortress to Neo-Gothic Villa

The original Castello di Banchette was built around 1200 as a fortress. The present-day castle, by contrast, was reconstructed in the 19th century on older ruins as a Neo-Gothic residential villa. These two details refer to different building phases: the fortress is the early origin, while the Neo-Gothic villa is the result of a later reconstruction. The building therefore cannot be reduced to a single date of origin. Two practical points to bear in mind when visiting: the castle is part of the “Castelli aperti” circuit; check the scheduled opening dates before your arrival. Tours of the park and castle take place on dates arranged with the owners. They are led by volunteers from Circolo Banchette in collaboration with the tourism program at Istituto di Istruzione Superiore Giovanni Cena. Confirm the date and availability with the organizer in advance.

The Parish Church of San Cristoforo

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Cristoforo offers a different architectural focus. It stands on a large dioritic rock, reached by a wide staircase. Its Neoclassical façade is defined by a projecting stone portico and a stone balustrade. The Neoclassical style and the Neo-Gothic design of the castle represent two clearly different forms of historic architecture: here, a classical façade with a stone portico; there, the later Neo-Gothic residential villa. This lets you experience the town not only through dates, but also through its different architectural styles.

Carnival and the Pignoletto Tradition

Local traditions also offer different points of interest. Carnevale Banchettese is a traditional local carnival whose main characters are called Cossatera and Cossatè. The festival takes place at night; check the dates and program before traveling. Another local tradition revolves around Pignoletto Rosso del Canavese, an ancient variety of corn that a group of farmers has revived through dedicated work. At the Sagra del Mais Pignoletto Rosso di Banchette, you can sample polenta dishes made with Pignoletto and other local specialties; the specific offerings may vary. The carnival and the sagra are thus two distinct cultural themes: one is defined by nighttime celebrations and characters, the other by the local corn variety and food. If you want events to fit your stay, check the dates and program or the specific offerings in advance.

A Small Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A small area within the municipal boundaries of Banchette is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Ivrea, industrial city of the 20th century.” The site was inscribed in 2018. This year refers to its inscription, not to the origins of the castle. Banchette therefore offers different points of reference in time: the fortress built around 1200, the reconstruction of the castle in the 19th century, and the inscription of the World Heritage Site in 2018.

Discover more destinations: Vestignè, Piamprato, Mazzè, Rivoli, Gravere, Torre, Front, Borgaro Torinese

For the broader travel overview: Turin.