Crescentino

Vivi

Arte e cultura

Borghi e città

Crescentino

Situated at the confluence of the rivers Po and Dora Baltea, Crescentino is an ancient town that has been a strategic point for the control of the road network between the Monferrato, Vercelli, Asti and Turin areas over the centuries.

THE TOWN OF CRESCENTINO

In the town centre, which still retains its ancient medieval urban layout, is the town’s symbol, the 14th century Civic Tower with the largest bell in the province of Vercelli, the Crescentina. The Parish Church of St. Mary of the Assumption and the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Palazzo, surrounded by vegetation, are also of great interest.

Not far from the town is the St. Maria Island Nature Reserve, one of the protected areas of the Po River Park that is particularly interesting for birdwatchers, who can admire numerous colonies of resident birds here.

Crescentino is also located along the itinerary of the Via Francigena, one of Europe’s most important pilgrims’ paths, with over three thousand kilometres to cover on foot or by bicycle, connecting Canterbury to Rome, and then further south to Santa Maria di Leuca.

THE village OF ST. JANUARIUS

Agricultural estate and former site of an abbey, St. Januarius is the oldest Benedictine monastic settlement within what was once the Lucedio forest. Unfortunately, little remains of the ancient complex and all that is left as evidence of the original structure is now incorporated within the farmhouse Cascina Badia. The 14th century castle with an admirable circular tower surrounded by a fortress is worth a visit. Near the village, you will find the St. Januarius marsh, a special nature reserve, which preserves an important system of wetlands fed by springs and fountains. Traces of the ancient lowland forest and a remarkable variety of animals can be observed here.