Cavaglià – History, Menhirs and Pilgrimage Routes in Piedmont

Cavaglià reveals its distinctive character through the coexistence of historic buildings, archaeological stones, religious sites and paths through the Piedmontese landscape. Here, you can combine architecture and art, early history, pilgrimage routes, cycling and golf in a single travel itinerary.

Historic Buildings and Art

Villa Salino is a historic building dating back to 1726. The house accommodates two permanent exhibitions: one featuring portraits from the Risorgimento and another dedicated to esoteric art. In this building, political history and a distinct art-historical subject area come together.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale San Michele Arcangelo is a neoclassical church built in 1779 to a design by the architect Filippo Castelli. Its organ was inaugurated in 1821 and made by the Serassi brothers from Bergamo. The Rondolino Castle, built at the beginning of the 20th century, also stands in the town centre. The historical spectrum therefore extends from Villa Salino, dating from 1726, through the church of 1779 to the Rondolino Castle from the beginning of the 20th century.

Menhirs and Archaeological Traces

The menhirs of Cavaglià are probably the largest archaeological menhir site in Piedmont. The stones are arranged in a circle to form a group known as a cromlech; the menhirs date back at least to the Iron Age. The menhir monument can be visited freely at the intersection with the state road to Biella. Cavaglià’s archaeological dimension therefore reaches considerably further back than the historic buildings in the town.

Pilgrimage Routes through Cavaglià

The Via Francigena del Piemonte crosses Cavaglià on Stage 08. Stage VFS IT08 Viverone–Santhià also passes through the town; the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Babilone is a point of interest along this stage.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Babilone lies outside Cavaglià’s town centre, in the direction of the motorway entrance from Santhià. After a period of decline, it was rebuilt by the residents of Cavaglià. Those interested in religious buildings and the history of their preservation will find a distinctive point of interest here away from the centre.

Cycling and Landscape

The municipal e-bike rental service provides three bicycles. After registering at the station at Via Generale Salino 4 in Cavaglià, the bicycles can be collected there. For planning your own cycling itinerary, the municipal service is clearly limited to three bicycles and the station at Via Generale Salino 4 in Cavaglià.

At Golf Club Cavaglià, the golfing experience takes place amid the Piedmontese landscape. Golf therefore has its own connection to the landscape alongside the town’s historical and religious themes. The pilgrimage routes pass through Cavaglià, while golf is played at Golf Club Cavaglià in the Piedmontese landscape.

Further Places for Planning Your Trip

Further destinations for regional orientation include Roppolo, Simone, Sordevolo, Castellengo, Portula, Villa Del Bosco, Muzzano and Bioglio.

For the overarching travel overview: Biella.