Chivasso: Cultural History and Water Engineering

Chivasso can be explored through its cultural history, water engineering and an annual festival tradition. Its historic landmarks span the centuries from a pre-Christian stele to a 12th-century castle; the Canale Cavour brings 19th-century water engineering into focus. As you plan your trip, you can decide whether to focus on historic monuments, engineering works, the landscape along Percorso N or the Festa dei Nocciolini.

Cultural History from Antiquity to the Middle Ages

The Torre Ottagonale is a remnant of the castle built by the Marquises of Monferrato in the 12th century. It offers a tangible link to the medieval architectural history of Chivasso.

The Lapis Longus marks a much earlier point in time. The stone stele dates from the 7th to 6th century BC, is four metres high and stands in the centre of Piazza Castello. Compared with the castle, the two landmarks point to widely separated eras.

The Teatrino Civico was created from the chapel of a former monastery. Its origins add a history of earlier religious use to the stories of the castle and stele.

Canale Cavour and Historic Water Engineering

At Chivasso, the Canale Cavour diverts water from the Po and is considered one of the most significant examples of 19th-century water engineering. Here, a specific water-supply system meets a major theme in the history of engineering.

The Edificio della Presa delle Acque gives this theme an architectural dimension: it is 40 metres long and has 21 openings with three rows of sluice gates. Its length, openings and rows of sluice gates offer a tangible impression of the structure and its technical design.

Percorso N and the Surrounding Landscape

Percorso N adds a landscape perspective. It runs northeast of Chivasso through mostly flat, agricultural land and reaches the southern foothills of the Canavese moraine hill system. The focus thus shifts from individual structures to a landscape that ranges from agricultural terrain to the hill system.

Percorso N is 48 kilometres long and is linked to the Regia Mandria di Chivasso, the Dora Baltea and 19th-century waterworks. For practical planning, it is advisable to check the route’s current condition, as conditions can change.

September Festival and Nocciolini

The Festa dei Nocciolini di Chivasso takes place every year in September in the historic centre. Its programme includes food, cultural and artistic events for all age groups. If you plan to time your trip around the festival, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Nocciolini di Chivasso are made with shelled and roasted Tonda Gentile delle Langhe hazelnuts, sugar and egg whites. So, alongside the events, the ingredients of the speciality that gives the festival its name are also part of the culinary theme.

When looking for a hotel in Chivasso, the reason for your visit can help shape your plans: for the Festa, September and the specific event dates are relevant; for Percorso N, the practical point to check is the route’s current condition. Cultural history and water engineering offer further themes for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Valprato Soana, Rivoli, Lombardore, Mazzè, San Pietro Val Lemina, Turin, Sauze Di Cesana, San Giuseppe.

Go to the main travel overview: Turin.