Discover Campiglia Cervo – Beech Forests, Churches and History

Campiglia Cervo lies amid beech forests. The Torrente Cervo runs through the village and gives the landscape a distinctive natural feature. At the same time, you will find numerous traces of its religious, artisanal and social history here.

Between Forest, Water and Paved Paths

Numerous paved mule tracks lead to the hamlets of Campiglia Cervo, crossing beech forests and passing numerous votive chapels. The paths are accessible to everyone. The paved surface can be taken into account when planning a walk. The Sacro Monte di San Giovanni runs from the village of Campiglia through beech and pine forests.

Churches with a History of Their Own

The parish church of Campiglia Cervo is dedicated to Saints Joseph and Bernard and dates from 1607. Inside is the polyptych by Bernardino Lanino from 1565, which has recently been restored. The parish church thus combines a 17th-century building with a 16th-century work. The Santuario di San Giovanni began in the early 16th century as a small chapel carved into the rock; the present church was built between 1602 and 1608. The sanctuary also contains a restored library.

Santa Maria di Pediclosso stands on the footpath between the Santuario di San Giovanni d’Andorno and the hamlet of Oretto. It is described as the oldest church in the Cervo Valley.

Craftsmanship, Memories and Village Life

There are also tangible traces of the past away from the large religious buildings. Cà da Fè in the hamlet of Bussetti is considered one of the oldest houses in the valley and has been completely preserved in its original condition. In the hamlet of Forgnengo, the “giochi di pietra” are carved into the low walls within the village. The Cappella di Ritert was built by the residents in gratitude for the end of the plague in 1641.

The Muro della Balma represents the stonemasons’ craftsmanship in the valley and the history of the syenite quarries that shaped life in the valley. The Muro della Balma complements the religious buildings in the village landscape with an artisanal connection. Campiglia Cervo also has an institutional history: the Scuole Tecniche Professionali per le Costruzioni Edili e Stradali were founded in Campiglia Cervo in 1862. The Società Operaia di Mutuo Soccorso della Valle d’Andorno was based in Campiglia Cervo.

Traditions and Exhibitions

At the celebration held every year on 1 May at Santa Maria di Pediclosso, Mass is followed by an auction of local food products and lunch in the meadows. For those interested in culture, 1 May combines the religious occasion with regional products and a meal outdoors. “C’era una volta a Campiglia...” features antique exhibitions dedicated to clothing, documents, books and traditions.

You can find other places in the same area under Netro, Masserano, Zimone, Castellengo, Candelo, Mongrando, Caprile and Donato.

For the higher-level travel overview: Biella.