Holiday apartment in Sandigliano: Castles, frescoes and La Bessa

Sandigliano combines a multifaceted local history with the starting point of the La Bessa cycling tour. Castles, religious buildings and frescoes shape the cultural character of the town.

Holiday apartment in Sandigliano among castles and religious buildings

In the 14th century, Sandigliano began fortifying the town with the construction of two castles and a ricetto. The Torrione is the older of Sandigliano’s two castles; its first structural core was built around the 11th century. The old keep and a distinctive arched defensive structure from the 16th century have survived from the Torrione. At the same time, the Torrione is privately owned. The successive historical layers of this building frame the town’s fortifications across several centuries.

Sant’Antonio al Torrione is a small building combining Romanesque and Gothic elements and probably dates from the late 13th or early 14th century. The apse is entirely covered with frescoes attributed to the workshop of the Master of the Sunday Christ. They depict God the Father, the Apostles and the symbols of the Evangelists. The parish church of Santa Maria Assunta also preserves detached frescoes from the confraternity church of Saints Bernard and Charles inside. Sant’Antonio al Torrione thus combines historic architectural forms with religious art. For those interested in culture, both the architecture and specific pictorial motifs are therefore central attractions.

In the second half of the 15th century, La Rocchetta was the residence of the lords of Sandigliano. La Rocchetta is privately owned and is used as an accommodation business. Its historic role as a residence thus contrasts with its present-day use as accommodation. La Rocchetta broadens the focus with a building that has an aristocratic past.

Cycling interest around La Bessa

The La Bessa cycling tour begins in Sandigliano and runs through the Bessa nature reserve. This is an archaeological site in the Biella area and also an ancient gold-bearing area. Bessa extends the cycling connection from the town into an area that is both protected for nature conservation and shaped by its archaeological significance. The starting point in the town and the route through the protected area connect Sandigliano with a distinct cycling and archaeology theme. For cycling enthusiasts, the focus is therefore not only on the route but also on Bessa’s archaeological character. Alongside the architectural and ecclesiastical heritage, this creates a second focus: the cycling tour connects Sandigliano with interests in nature, archaeology and the region.

Getting to Sandigliano

By car, Sandigliano can be reached from the Santhià motorway exit via the S.S.143. The nearest railway station is Biella station. Road and rail thus represent two different access options, without specifying a particular route within the town.

Villa Del Bosco, Cavaglià, Bellaria, Vigliano Biellese, Zimone, Simone, Netro and Mongrando.

For the overarching travel overview: Biella.