Holiday apartment in Celle Di Macra: trails, forest and art

Celle Di Macra combines historic trails, religious art and distinctive traces in the landscape. The Sentiero degli Acciugai leads through almost all of the local hamlets, while churches and chapels showcase religious art and a museum presents the history of the anchovy sellers.

Historic trails through the hamlets

The Sentiero degli Acciugai follows the historic trails used by anchovy sellers in their work in the valley and leads through almost all of the local hamlets. Another route is the Borgate di Celle Macra route. It begins in the Borgata Rio di Celle Macra, passes through Albornetto Sottano, Albornetto Soprano, Serre, Castellaro, Ansoleglio, Chiesa and Paschero, and returns to the starting road via a path.

Forest, crafts and traces in the landscape

Along the Sentiero della Costruzione Alpina are lime kilns, slate quarries, sand pits and buildings with characteristic “a vela” façades. The Sentiero dei Giganti leads through a larch forest that has remained intact for centuries. Several historically interesting buildings are also located along this trail, as is the “Naj del charbou” wetland with an original pond where hemp was soaked above the Borgata Combe.

Church and art in Celle di Macra

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista is an 18th-century building. It includes a Romanesque bell tower that predates the church, a single-nave interior, a large presbytery and two side chapels. The church also houses the Polittico di Hans Clemer: the work consists of five wooden panels depicting the enthroned Madonna and Child, Saints John the Evangelist, Paul, Peter and John the Baptist, as well as a kneeling patron.

Chapels and the memory of the anchovy sellers

The Cappella di San Sebastiano is a simple stone building with a slate roof and a portico. Inside is the oldest stone altar in the province of Cuneo. The Cappella di San Sebastiano in the Borgata Chiotto preserves frescoes by Giovanni Baleison depicting the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, the Last Judgment, a representation of the punishments of Hell and the Heavenly Jerusalem. The Museo Sèles presents the history of the anchovy sellers from several hamlets of Celle di Macra, Macra, Lottulo, Tetti di Dronero and Paglieres through information panels, original objects and clothing.

Baía di Castellaro and destinations in the surrounding area

Baía di Castellaro, a hamlet of Celle di Macra, is celebrated on the last Sunday in July in honour of Saint Anne. Around Chiesa di Macra are the historic site of Ponte del Diavolo, Punta dell'Omo and Monte Borel. Further afield in the region around Chiesa di Macra are the Museo dell'Arpa Victor Salvi, Monte Savi, Castello del Roccolo and Castello della Manta.

Other places for regional context

Trezzo Tinella, Ormea, Monchiero, Pietraporzio, Piobesi D'alba, Govone, Roà Marenca and Barolo

For the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.