Discover Mongrando: Bessa, Churches and Crafts – Holiday Apartment in Mongrando

Mongrando lies on the edge of the Bessa. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Mongrando will discover a landscape, crafts and cultural history documented by tangible traces: a Roman open-pit gold mine, historic religious buildings, castle ruins and traditional processing techniques. This combination offers several thematic starting points for a stay combining archaeological interest, art appreciation and insights into traditional crafts.

Landscape and Early Traces in the Bessa

In the Riserva Speciale della Bessa, a Roman open-pit gold mine, there is an imposing, fortress-like structure that has been known as the “Castelliere” since its discovery in 1963. The results of archaeological excavations made it possible to reconstruct the original layout of the mound of rubble from gold washing on which the Castelliere was built, as well as to trace and reconstruct its structures. The Bessa thus combines traces of gold mining with a distinctive archaeological structure.

Mongrando’s local history is also reflected in its layout. In the Middle Ages, the town was of considerable strategic importance because of its location at the entrance to the road leading to Canavese. In addition to the few remaining ruins of the old castle, traces of the former church of S. Maria di Castelvecchio can be seen. The San Lorenzo district preserves, in its layout, traces of its origins in Roman times.

Blacksmithing and Weaving in Mongrando

The local crafts include the Fucina Morino. It is considered the only surviving family-run forge among the small workshops that once operated in this area. For a visit, you can leave your car in Piazza XXV Aprile, the square by the town hall; from there, the route continues via Via Marconi, Via Quintino Sella and Via Favre. Along the waterways of the Ingagna, the remains of numerous forges bear witness to centuries of ironworking in this area.

The cloth weavers of Mongrando keep the old tradition of hemp weaving alive. In addition, the Ecomuseo in Mongrando offers metalworking workshops focusing on materials, repairs and new creations. When choosing your holiday apartment in Mongrando, you can include these craft-related themes in your daily itinerary alongside the Bessa and the churches.

Church Art from Romanesque to Baroque

One focal point is the parish church of S. Rocco. It has an organ made by Vitani between 1608 and 1610. The carved case and carved gallery were designed and decorated around 1640 by Pietro Botto. In the Ceresane district, the parish church also preserves two paintings from the early 17th century attributed to Mario Zuccaro.

Several other religious buildings add their own distinctive accents. The parish church of S. Lorenzo is flanked by a Romanesque bell tower. The church of S. Agostino was built in 1614 by the confraternity of the same name. The Oratory of S. Maria delle Grazie contains 16th-century frescoes, while the church of San Michele preserves its original Romanesque bell tower.

A Holiday Apartment Suited to Your Interests

The choice of a holiday apartment in Mongrando can be guided by the themes you want to shape your stay: the Bessa and Castelliere for archaeological traces, local history and religious buildings for cultural discoveries, or forges and weaving for traditional crafts.

More Destinations in the Selection

Biella, Graglia, Muzzano, Bioglio, Graziano-Ruta, Portula, Lessona, Donato

For the higher-level travel overview: Biella.