Holiday apartment in Carignano: Po landscape and cultural heritage

Po landscape and cultural heritage near Carignano

The Po near Carignano lies at the heart of the Parco del Po Torinese, an impressive natural landscape with the well-known oxbow loop “Po Morto”, protected river habitats, riparian forests and side channels.

The protected Po area includes a completely flat route through the Carignano landscape, suitable for walks, cycling tours and mountain biking.

The landscape around Carignano features rows of mulberry trees, poplar groves, irrigation canals and old farmhouses alongside medieval fortified houses, chapels and rural hamlets.

The landscape around Carignano can be explored on paved or unpaved roads that are of great natural and artistic interest.

Churches, arcades and local history

Construction of the Chiesa di Nostra Signora delle Grazie began in 1601 and was completed in 1611. Its façade was carefully restored, bringing the original rich polychromy back to light. The Chiesa di San Giuseppe was built between 1677 and 1687; its elliptical floor plan is rare in 17th-century Piedmont and combines the layout of a Latin cross with the ellipse of the choir. An also elliptical dome vaults the building.

Construction of the Duomo di Carignano began in 1756; the church was consecrated in 1764, and the work was entrusted to Benedetto Alfieri. In Borgovecchio, Via Vittorio Veneto preserves the only urban street in Carignano with a surviving double row of arcades.

The Cappella di San Rocco was commissioned in 1598 as a votive offering to the patron saint against the plague and rebuilt in 1632. Its gabled porch was intended to provide shelter for pilgrims stopping along the route. The Chiesa della Madonna della Misericordia was built from 1640 onwards as a votive church at the request of the municipality, after a sudden flood of the Po prevented French troops from entering the town.

Museum and Santuario del Valinotto

The Museo Civico e Archeologico “Giacomo Rodolfo” preserves archaeological, artistic and documentary materials from the Carignano area. It was established following the donation of the collection by the heirs of Professor Giacomo Rodolfo and aims to preserve and pass on evidence of the past, as well as the cultural heritage recognised as belonging to the community of Carignano.

The Santuario del Valinotto is also known as the Cappella della Visitazione and is located in the Carignano countryside on the road to Osasio and Virle. It is considered an early masterpiece by the architect Bernardo Antonio Vittone. Telephone registration at least two weeks in advance is required for guided tours of the monuments in Carignano.

Other places in the regional selection include Arignano, Cavour, Salbertrand, Pavone Canavese, Colleretto Giacosa, Foglizzo, San Secondo Di Pinerolo and Torrazza Piemonte.

More about the region: Turin.