Discover Cigliano

Cigliano combines its own variety of Canestrelli, historical landmarks and a range of leisure activities with an agricultural character. If you’re looking for a hotel in Cigliano, these themes can help you decide what interests you during your stay: are you mainly interested in local history, regional food culture or leisure activities? The town’s distinctive features range from a written mention dating back to 882 to a swimming pool, a place name marked on a cycling map and the Fiera di Sant’Emiliano.

Local history across different periods

One prominent historical landmark is the parish church of Sant’Emiliano. Construction began in 1791 on the remains of an ancient temple. This identifies both the start of the church’s construction and an earlier building that stood on the site. Another date of note is the first written mention of Cigliano, which appears in a diploma issued by Charles the Fat in 882. The two dates relate to different aspects: the written mention of the town and the much later start of construction on the parish church.

These historical landmarks are complemented by archaeological finds. Silver and copper coins, terracotta vessels and graves containing skeletons have been found in Cigliano. This gives travelers interested in cultural history several different starting points: a written mention, the church’s construction history and archaeological evidence. The dates and types of finds complement one another without describing the same kind of historical reference.

Canestrelli and agricultural character

One local culinary specialty is Canestrelli di Cigliano. They are made using an iron with a honeycomb pattern and are noticeably thicker than Canestrelli from the Canavese area. This distinguishes two specific features of the Cigliano variety: the pattern of the iron describes how they are made, while their greater thickness sets them apart from the Canavese version.

Agriculture is also part of the town’s character: Cigliano is known for growing fruit and vegetables and is located on the edge of the Vercelli rice-growing area. These are two distinct, complementary features: local cultivation and its geographical position relative to the rice-growing area. Together with the Canestrelli tradition, they offer a concrete perspective on Cigliano’s food culture and agriculture.

Leisure and events

For water-based leisure, the Jolly Club in Cigliano offers an Olympic-size swimming pool, slides, beach volleyball and a hydrotherapy pool. The facilities listed include both water-based activities and beach volleyball. As operating details and opening hours may change, check the current opening hours and facilities before your visit.

A cycling map is also useful for planning: Cigliano is marked on the map for the Risaie Ciclabili cycling route, Route No. 6. If you use the map to plan your trip, check the route conditions before setting off.

Another event to consider is the Fiera di Sant’Emiliano in Cigliano. It features crafts, agriculture, hobbies, food and wine, commerce, antiques and games for children. Its range brings together several different areas of interest rather than focusing on just one. Dates and activities may vary from one edition to another, so check the information for the relevant edition before planning your trip.

These interests make it easy to distinguish the different reasons to visit: the parish church and archaeological finds appeal to those interested in cultural history, while Canestrelli and agriculture highlight local food and production. The swimming pool, cycling map and Fiera offer different leisure and event options. Depending on what interests you most, you can make these aspects a priority when planning your trip to Cigliano.

Discover more destinations: Gattinara, Trino, Scopello, Motta Dè Conti, Rimasco, Livorno Ferraris, Piode, Varallo

For the broader travel overview: Vercelli.