A day in Gattinara
Itinerary A day in…
Gattinara CITY OF WINE, LAND OF RICE AND GOOD LIVING
A one-day itinerary to discover Gattinara, a Romanesque town famous for its excellent wines renowned throughout the world
THE HISTORIC CITY CENTRE OF GATTINARA
The city tour can easily begin in the historical city centre, whose regular layout dates back to the foundation of the medieval tax-free town (burgfrieden) in 1242, where traces of the Romanesque origins are preserved, underscoring the city’s antiquity and cultural relevance. The history of Gattinara is closely linked to that of the Arborio family, to which one of the greatest European politicians and diplomats of the early 16th century belonged: Mercurino Arborio.
St. Peter’s Church is the first stop on this itinerary. Rebuilt in 1881 in neoclassical forms on a previously existing Roman building, the Church of St. Peter is a typical view of Gattinara. The dome of the building is one of the first Italian constructions made of reinforced brick.
Not far away stands the Palazzo di Città, the current seat of the Town Hall. Originally the residence of the Marquis Arborio Gattinara, it was designed by the architect Delmastro from Gattinara. Then there is Palazzo Arborio, built around 1450 and now home to the Gattinara Cultural Association. The interior, which preserves precious frescoes, can be visited by appointment.
REGIONAL WINE SHOP AND CITY CHURCHES
Continuing the itinerary through the streets of the centre of Gattinara, we reach Paolotti Square, which hosts the town markets on Fridays and Saturdays, and where we find the namesake Villa Paolotti, a late 19th-century building that today houses the Regional Wine Shop and also a conference hall adjacent to the G’ART exhibition space. The Ecomuseum of Gattinara is also established at Villa Paolotti. It exhibits some interesting objects and tools of peasant life in the past, providing a truly unique historical testimony for future generations. Three moments of rural life have been recreated inside, precisely childhood, the kitchen and the area that preserves tools and utensils related to working life.
The city tour continues with a visit to the Church of St. Martha, built in 1450 and rebuilt in 1844. A building with a central plan that today hosts many musical concerts for its excellent acoustics.
Nearby is the Church of St. Francis, built on the ruins of the Church of St. Julius, an example of early Baroque architecture. The inside has a precious wooden altar with detailed carvings. Continuing towards Corso Garibaldi, you reach the Church of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, which is equally Baroque in form. Inside there is a black marble altar and a valuable triptych attributed to Giovenone.
Not far away stands the Church of the Madonna di Rado which, before 1242, the year the village was founded, was considered the most important place in the area. Many faithful visit the site to honour the Black Madonna, of whom a wooden statue dating back to the 15th century is preserved here.
THE HIGH CITY: THE CASTELLE TOWER, THE CASTLE OF ST. LAWRENCE AND THE GIANT BENCH
On the top of one of the highest hills in the area stands the Castle of St. Lawrence, built in 1187 by the Vercelli Municipality to guard the valley. Abandoned around the 17th century, only the ruins of the fortification remain today. The large entrance gate is still intact. The remains of the central keep and the Church of St. Lawrence can be seen within. The Castle of St. Lawrence, which can be reached by an easy uphill walk, is one of the best vantage points in the area, offering a beautiful view of the city and surrounding hills.
Another particularly popular vantage point is the square in front of the Castelle Tower square, which offers an enchanting view of the Gattinara vineyards. It is located a short distance from the town centre, which can be reached with a 15-minute walk or more conveniently by car. The Tower, now an undisputed symbol of the town, dates back to the 11th century and is a vivid testimony to the important medieval fortified complex that surrounded the entire hillside area. The view is enchanting, especially on a clear day when you can admire Mount Rosa framing the Gattinara hills for a truly unique scenic impression! A few metres from the Tower, it is a must to take a moment for an original selfie sitting on the Giant Bench. The one in Gattinara is number 35 and is red, as red is the excellent wine produced here.
FOOD AND WINE EXCELLENCE
The cultivation of the Nebbiolo vine, which yields the Gattinara D.O.C.G. and the Coste della Sesia D.O.C.G., some of the most appreciated wines in Italy, finds fertile ground in the Gattinara area. This sumptuous wine of varied richness owes its special features to the Super Volcano, which has favoured a variety of soils that endow this wine with unique and special traits. Villa Paolotti houses the Regional Wine Shop where the great wines of High Piedmont and various products of excellence can be found.
Gattinara is also located in the Baraggia area where the first and only Italian PDO rice is produced, an excellence recognised by famous Italian and international chefs. The rice of Baraggia Biellese and Vercellese is the utmost expression of the great rice-growing tradition of the Vercelli area.
However, the Gattinara itinerary cannot be considered complete without the addition of a sensory note, which includes a visit to local winery for a tasting experience of the excellent local wines.
Chiesa di San Pietro
Palazzo di Città
Palazzo Arborio
Piazza Paolotti
Villa Paolotti
Ecomuseo
Chiesa di Santa Marta
Chiesa di San Francesco
Chiesa della Madonna del Rosario
Chiesa della Madonna di Rado
Castello di San Lorenzo
Torre delle Castelle
Big Bench
Enoteca regionale
Come raggiungere gattinara
IN AUTOSTRADA
A4 Milano-Torino uscita Agognate o innesto A26 a Biandrate, direzione Gravellona Toce, per Romagnano-Ghemme (da Milano);
uscita Greggio o innesto A26 a Biandrate, direzione Gravellona Toce per Romagnano-Ghemme (da Torino);
A26 Genova-Gravellona Toce, uscita Romagnano-Ghemme
Da Romagnano Sesia seguire la SP 299 per Varallo-Alagna Valsesia
IN BUS
Autolinee giornaliere collegano Gattinara con Milano, Torino, Vercelli, Novara. Scopri come arrivare.
Plan your holiday
Where to eat, where to sleep, how to get around: plan your trip to Valsesia and Vercelli!
