Serravalle Sesia: Castles, Churches and Panoramas

Serravalle Sesia offers several themes to consider when planning your trip: architectural history, sacred art, panoramic views, and outdoor trails. Castello degli Avondo, the ruins of Castello di Vintebbio, and Pietra Groana each represent different aspects. Decide whether buildings and collections, views, or an activity on foot or on the rock should be the focus of your stay.

Castello Avondo and Museum

Castello degli Avondo was built between 1462 and 1467. The present appearance of Castello di Serravalle is a 19th-century Neo-Gothic reconstruction commissioned by the Avondo family. This clearly distinguishes the original construction period from the later architectural form. The Museo di Storia d'Arte e Antichità “Don Florindo Piolo” is located on the ground floor of Castello Avondo. Its collections include archaeological finds from Roman and medieval times, paintings from the Piedmontese school, and ethnographic objects.

Sacred History and Art

Sacred buildings also point to different historical and artistic contexts. The Romanesque Pieve di Santa Maria di Naula is mentioned in the Codice Vaticano 4322. Compiled in the 10th century, the codex contains the first known list of the parishes of Vercelli. Naula thus brings together the building’s Romanesque classification and a written record of Vercelli’s parish structure. The Santuario di Sant'Euseo stands on a rocky outcrop; in the 17th century, an earlier chapel was expanded into a sanctuary. The Parrocchiale dei Santi Giovanni Battista e Nicolao contains frescoes by Borsetti and Peracino. The three sites offer different points of interest: Naula for its Romanesque architecture and codex, Sant'Euseo for its architectural development, and the Parrocchiale for its frescoes.

Panoramas Around Vintebbio and Pietra Groana

The ruins of Castello di Vintebbio lie on a plateau. From there, a 360-degree panorama extends across the valley crossed by the Sesia River, from the Vercelli plain to Monte Rosa. Pietra Groana rises among the hills of Serravalle at the entrance to the valley. From its summit, the view takes in the plain, the lower part of the Biellese and Valsesia, and the central peaks of Monte Rosa. The panoramas offer different perspectives: from Vintebbio, the Sesia Valley between the Vercelli plain and Monte Rosa is in view; from Pietra Groana, the vista also includes the lower part of the Biellese and Valsesia.

Trails, Climbing, and Local Traditions

A walk from the main piazza in the hamlet of Vintebbio to the ruins takes about 15 minutes. One route to Pietra Groana starts in Regione Quazzo and follows firebreak trail no. 706 to the base of the rock, taking about 30 minutes on foot. These times refer to different starting points and destinations. A panoramic excursion from Serravalle Sesia also leads to Pietra Groana. Pietra Groana has single-pitch and multi-pitch routes, mostly on slabs—a specific distinction by route format, with slabs predominating.

The Carnevale di Serravalle Sesia dates back to 1897; the tradition began with the mask of the Duca del Fossale. Since 2018, the Carnevale committee has organized an annual mountain bike ride through the hills. The original costumes of Mugiun III and the Mugiuna, along with their court, are on permanent display at the Museo Don Florindo Piolo at Via Torchio 10. The musical instruments and costumes of the folk band Busca Matas are also on permanent display there. The small Chiesa della Madonna della Neve is a destination for peaceful summer walks.

Discover more destinations: Bianzè, Piode, Fobello, Varallo, Vocca, Carisio, Livorno Ferraris, Cellio

For the wider travel overview: Vercelli.