Lessona: Wine Route, Rolling Valleys and Local History

Lessona combines winegrowing, local history and walking routes into a multifaceted landscape. In northern and central Lessona, long, sun-exposed rolling valleys stretch out, their conditions having favoured the development of winegrowing. Those wishing to combine landscapes, historic sites and the wine route will find the Parco delle Cicogne, San Basc-cian and Stage 37 of the GTB in Lessona.

Winegrowing and the wine route

Winegrowing at al Tsöp dates back to the 15th century; in 1436, the vineyard was called dello Zoppo. Lessona received its DOC designation in 1976, when the production regulations for Lessona wine were established. The Lessona wine route begins at the Parco delle Cicogne. The starting point of the wine route is located in the town centre. For those interested in culture, the wine route in Lessona connects with historic oratories, churches and manor houses.

Green spaces and routes

The Parco delle Cicogne was established in 1993 as a large green space for recreation and play in the town centre. The Stra da Mort hiking trail connects Géza and San Basc-cian.

Oratories, churches and manor houses

San Basc-cian is an oratory dedicated to Saint Sebastian at the foot of Tsöp and is one of Lessona’s oldest oratories; it dates back to the 15th century. Palazzo Sella is located on Tsöp, an old country villa that Giovanni Giacomo Antonio Sella had built in 1834 based on a design by Canon Serratrice. Palazzo Sella is one of Lessona’s many manor houses, reflecting the history of local winegrowing. The Oratory of San Pietro was founded in the second half of the 17th century and belonged to the Santuario di Oropa in the following century. It has a well-preserved, beautiful courtyard with a fountain.

The parish church of Lessona, dedicated to Saint Lawrence, probably has origins dating back to before the year 1000. San Vénts is a chapel dedicated to Saint Gaudentius, considered Lessona’s first church and dating from the 11th century. A fresco of Saint Christopher survives on the south side of San Vénts; it welcomes travellers arriving along a section of the Via Lexonasca. In the Castello district is the oratory, or church, of Saints Sebastian and Fabian.

Hiking and mountain biking

GTB Stage 37 passes close to the ruins of the Prevostura di Lessona. Near the Osterla stream, it also passes significant fossil-bearing outcrops from the Pliocene. Amici MTB Lessona promote the area by organising the national MTB marathon “La Prevostura”. For more than twenty years, they have been committed to enhancing the rural heritage by restoring and maintaining old paths so that they remain accessible to mountain bikers and other interested visitors.

More destinations for orientation

Donato, Romagnano, Zimone, Solesio, Netro, Camandona, Salussola and Pollone.

For the higher-level travel overview: Biella.