Discover Montanaro: Church Art, History and Tradition

Montanaro brings together church art, regional history, and local traditions. Its churches tell of different periods of construction and styles; the Museo Giovanni Cena turns the spotlight on the life of a writer. Also part of the picture are the Carità tradition of Borgo Loreto and Canestrelli from the Canavese. If you are looking for a hotel, the aspects of Montanaro that interest you most can be a helpful starting point for planning your trip.

Church interiors and varied architectural styles

The present-day Chiesa di San Giovanni Decollato e di Santa Marta was built between 1744 and 1748, replacing a 14th-century oratory of the Confraternita dei Laici Disciplinati. The Chiesa di Santa Marta stands out for its rare double-apse interior: both apses have oval windows. Here, the building history of the earlier structure and an unusual interior design take center stage. The Chiesa di Santa Marta is reached by a few steps; check the access arrangements locally before your trip.

The parish church of San Nicolao and dell'Assunta offers a different architectural accent. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross; at the same time, it has a single-nave layout and eight side chapels. The present-day organ was reconstructed in 1872 and is by the organ builder Vegezzi Bossi. The floor plan, the layout of the nave, and the number of chapels give the church a different character from Santa Marta's double-apse interior. Access to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is convenient for people with disabilities; check the access arrangements locally before your trip.

The Chiesa di San Grato also has a striking decorative feature: its wooden high altar is richly adorned with Baroque-style carvings and has four columns and cherubim. When comparing the churches, it is therefore worth looking not only at their building histories but also at the differences between their interior layouts and furnishings. In Montanaro, Route M highlights the church complex of San Nicolao and Santa Marta.

Santa Maria d'Isola: layers of history

The Chiesa di Santa Maria d'Isola brings together several periods in the town's history. After 1006, its construction was the first undertaking to which the monks of Fruttuaria Abbey devoted themselves; later, it became Montanaro's first parish church. The bell tower, too, was not built in a single phase: its successive construction stages date from the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. The church is also regarded as an example of the transition from Renaissance Mannerism to the Baroque. Architecture enthusiasts can therefore explore both an artistic transition and a building history that unfolded over several centuries.

The abbey complex by Bernardo Antonio Vittone offers another Baroque perspective, creating an impressive Baroque scene as a whole. The Castello di Montanaro is another historic landmark: in 1164, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa granted it as a fief to Marquis Guglielmo IV of Monferrato. This grant ties the castle's history to a specific political event of the 12th century.

The Giovanni Cena Museum and the Carità tradition

The Museo Giovanni Cena presents the writer's life through 80 historical photographs. It also displays documents and personal belongings. During a guided tour, visitors reflect on the socioeconomic conditions and the history of Italy from the second half of the 19th century to the first two decades of the 20th century. The writer's life and the broader historical context are thus presented side by side. If you are interested in literary and social history, this theme offers a different way to explore Montanaro than its church buildings do.

The Carità of Borgo Loreto is a distinctive local tradition. It originated around 1500, was revived in 1974, and became a symbol of Borgo Loreto. At the Cantone Loreto festival, the “CARITA'” are carried in a procession: these are lightweight willow pyramids about one metre high, covered in white silk and decorated with numerous colorful artificial flowers. If you are planning a trip to experience the festival, check the specific event dates in advance.

Canavese sweets and regional flavors

One of the area's culinary traditions is a pastry from the Canavese: Canestrelli are thin sweets with a lightly latticed pattern and a range of flavorings. Their regional provenance is the relevant connection; they should not be considered a specialty exclusive to Montanaro. They add a regional food experience to the cultural and historical themes. Churches, the museum, tradition, and regional sweets offer different focuses for planning a trip, without requiring you to combine them into a single itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Brusasco, Bobbio Pellice, Moncenisio, Marentino, Venaria Reale, Carella, Monfol, Germagnano.

For the broader travel overview: Turin.