Discover Giaveno: Churches, Mills and Paths by the Water

Churches, Art and History

Reconstruction work on the Chiesa di San Lorenzo Martire began in 1622. That year, Cardinal Maurizio founded the Collegiata dei Canonici with papal approval. The church preserves wall paintings and canvas paintings by Enrico Reffo and Federico Siffredi, as well as an altarpiece by Joseph Ouvertus. The Chiesa dei Batù contains an organ dating from 1781, created by the Concone brothers and retaining its original structure. The Chiesa di San Rocco was probably built in 1646 following a vow by the municipal council in response to the plague epidemic of 1630. It contains works by the painter Alessandro Trono, as well as a monochrome painting depicting San Rocco, San Sebastiano and San Carlo Borromeo.

Historic Places and Sacred Details

Mulin du Detu is a historic mill in the Ruata Bassa district of Giaveno and was built in 1218. It was formerly an abbey mill and belonged to the Benedictine monks of Sacra di San Michele Abbey. The Pieve di San Lorenzo also dates back a long way: its history can be traced back to the early 12th century. The Santuario Nostra Signora di Lourdes contains a replica of the Lourdes grotto in its left transept. Its building is designed in the Romanesque-Lombard style and entirely clad in stone. Francesco Gonin lived and worked at Villa Marsili from 1877 to 1889.

Paths Through Water, Rocks and the Past

For active exploration, the Sentiero Augusto Monti offers a circular trail in the valley of the Torrente Romarolo within the municipality of Giaveno. The Itinerari della Resistenza comprise two publicly accessible paths with information panels and images; additional information, short films and eyewitness accounts are available via QR codes. The Sentiero dell’antica frontiera passes the Colle del Besso, where clearly recognisable remains of 17th-century French fortifications can still be seen. Along the Sentiero delle Rocce, a stream flows between rock walls over large slabs of light-coloured gneiss, passing small waterfalls and very clear pools.

Bread, Mushrooms and Regional Traditions

Giaveno Città del Buon Pane takes place in September and can be traced back to 2003. On Piazza Mautino, visitors can observe parts of the bread-making process. Giaveno also has a tradition of large historic bread shapes such as micca, biove, mezzana and stirotto. Fungo in Festa is a traditional event usually held in October and accompanied by an annual mushroom exhibition. The programme of events from September to October includes culinary traditions and festivals centred on bread, potatoes, mushrooms and Bagna Càoda. As part of Giaveno Città del Buon Pane, the historic mills Mulin du Detu and Mulino della Bernardina were open and accessible to visitors.

Choose the Right Holiday Apartment for Your Interests

When choosing your holiday apartment in Giaveno, you can tailor the focus of your stay to the specific features of the area. If you are looking for experiences in nature, the stream, gneiss slabs, waterfalls and pools along the Sentiero delle Rocce take centre stage. For historical discoveries, examples range from the churches and Mulin du Detu to the French fortifications. Culinary interests are particularly connected with the bread and mushroom events in autumn.

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Giaveno, you can find the direct destinations here: Pian, Gassino Torinese, Germagnano, Ivrea, Carignano, Piverone, Traversella and Pinerolo.

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