Holiday apartment in Ivrea: UNESCO heritage, history and Via Francigena
Accommodation in Ivrea
The industrial city of Ivrea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an industrial and sociocultural project of the 20th century. Buildings for production, administration, social services and housing form part of this distinctive cityscape. Those planning a holiday apartment in Ivrea will discover a destination whose history can be experienced not only through individual monuments, but also through its modern urban concept.
Holiday apartment in Ivrea: UNESCO heritage, history and routes
A good starting point is the Ivrea UNESCO Visitor Centre. It is open to everyone free of charge and offers maps of the World Heritage site, a 3D model and examples of Olivetti factory production. This helps you better understand the scale of the site and the connection between architecture, work and housing.
History from the industrial project to the Castello
The town’s older history also leaves its mark. The Castello di Ivrea was built in 1358 at the request of Amedeo VI of Savoy and still preserves the character of a fortress. During visits, you can explore the large inner courtyard, the old cells and the battlements. From the towers, the view extends over the town, the Ivrea morainic amphitheatre, the Canavese and the entrance to the Aosta Valley.
Roman traces, art and Borghetto
In the historic centre, a walkable route leads through Roman and medieval history. At the Roman amphitheatre, the foundations of the elliptical perimeter walls and underground animal passages are still visible. The medieval Torre (Campanile) di Santo Stefano is the only surviving evidence of one of Ivrea’s oldest places of worship, the Santo Stefano Benedictine abbey complex. Ivrea Cathedral is Romanesque in origin.
The Ponte Vecchio is another notable landmark: the Roman bridge was built around the 3rd century and crosses the Dora Baltea. Behind it lies the so-called Borghetto, a fortification with old houses and craft shops. At the Museo Civico Pier Alessandro Garda, the Oriental art collection includes more than 500 works from Japan, as well as Chinese and other Asian objects.
Via Francigena and MAAM: Ivrea in motion
Two different routes are at the heart of active days. The Canavese section of the Via Francigena runs through Ivrea and is designed for travellers on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. The MAAM (Museo all’aperto delle architetture moderne olivettiane) is an approximately 2 km route along Via Jervis and the adjacent areas, which can be explored independently. This allows you to experience culture on the move, without a single type of traveller determining the stay.
Torta '900 and the Battle of the Oranges
Local flavours are also part of the Ivrea experience: you can try Torta '900 at the historic Balla pastry shop. One event culminates in the famous and spectacular Battle of the Oranges. When choosing your holiday apartment in Ivrea, you can therefore weigh up historic discoveries, modern architecture, active routes, art and culinary breaks according to your own interests. This allows families to plan shared days with different rhythms.
Further destinations for your travel planning: Frassinetto, Villafranca Piemonte, Villareggia, Pralormo, Pont Canavese, Parella, Quincinetto and Busano.
To the main travel overview: Turin.
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