Discover Castagnole Piemonte

Churches and works of art give Castagnole Piemonte a cultural and historical character; the seasonal Caritun tradition and various cycling routes add other specific points of interest. When planning your stay, you can take into account both historic buildings and seasonal or date-specific activities.

Churches and Art History

The Chiesa di San Rocco stands on the main square. Construction began in 1634, following a vow made by the residents of Castagnole Piemonte to Saint Roch. Its Baroque façade, with trompe-l’œil columns and capitals, adds striking architectural details to this historical story. The Chiesa di San Pietro takes you further back in time: its foundation is dated to around the year 1000, and a document written by Landolfo, Bishop of Turin, mentions it in 1037. Inside is a fresco of the Virgin and Child, thought to be the work of the Maestro di Cercenasco or a student of his school. It is dated to the late 15th or early 16th century.

The Chiesa di San Bernardino brings together historical significance and architectural history. In the 17th century, the church was the seat of the Brotherhood of the Battuti Bianchi and has a façade typical of that period. The church also houses a plaster statue of the Madonna, created by Amedeo Lavy in 1829. Lavy worked as an engraver before and after the restoration of the Savoy mint. A cultural tour exploring his works was associated with the 2018 FAI Spring Days.

Cultural Activities and Events

The “Profumo di Pagine” reading group meets on the second Friday of each month in the evening at the municipal library in Castagnole Piemonte. Listeners are also welcome to attend freely. If you plan to visit during your stay, check the date in advance. No prior dance experience is required for Biodanza; anyone can take part in Castagnole Piemonte.

Another type of event is “Mangè an n’autra cort”: at night, the centre of Castagnole Piemonte becomes an open-air food trail. The format may vary from one edition to another. In terms of timing, this makes it different from the regular reading group or the seasonal Caritun tradition.

Caritun and Local Tradition

Caritun is a round, flat, focaccia-like sweet. It consists of a yeast dough base topped with strawberries arranged in a spiral. Its preparation is highly seasonal and possible only in autumn and the early part of winter. Caritun has received the municipal De.Co. designation from Piobesi Torinese and Castagnole Piemonte. The limited preparation period is therefore a practical guide if you want to plan your stay around this local speciality; it is not seasonally available all year round.

Cycling Routes and Their Features

The 109-kilometre circular route “Le residenze sabaude” runs from Moncalieri (Le Vallere) via Santena, the Abbazia di Casanova, Caramagna, Racconigi, Pancalieri, Castagnole Piemonte, Candiolo and Stupinigi, before returning to Moncalieri (Le Vallere). For navigation, it is important to note that the route has no specific park signage; it also requires care in traffic. Its length and designated route provide a different framework for your cycling plans than the Virle Piemonte MTB route, which passes through the local area.

This MTB route passes the edge of Castagnole Piemonte by the chapel of Sant’Antonio Abate and the entrance to the Castello dei Marchesi Romagnano. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Abbot. It was probably built in the 17th century to protect the area from epidemics. The route passes the castle entrance; this does not imply that the castle is currently open.

Discover more destinations: Chieri, Vistrorio, Vestignè, Usseglio, Rivalba, Casalborgone, Oulx, Nole.

For the broader travel overview: Turin.