Netro: Ironworking, Churches and Trails

Netro: Ironworking and Historic Buildings

Netro combines a unique testament to ironworking with Romanesque sacred architecture, later Baroque and ecclesiastical buildings, and trails through the landscape. At the Centro di Documentazione sulla Lavorazione del Ferro in Netro, more than 1,000 drawings, catalogued documents from 1901 to 1964, historic machinery, tools made by Officine Rubino and collections of samples preserve the development of ironworking. Guided tours are offered there for visitors. As a result, a stay in Netro offers not only the character of the village but also a clear cultural focus.

Romanesque Church and Village Centre

A particularly rich concentration of history can be found at the Pieve o Chiesa Cimiteriale di Santa Maria Assunta. The church is a Romanesque building from the 11th century and became a cemetery church in the 16th century. Its façade from the original building dating to the year 1000 is incorporated into a three-nave extension from 1491. Three stone apses are also part of its appearance. Inside are frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries attributed to Domenico della Marca of Ancona.

The Pieve o Chiesa Cimiteriale di Santa Maria Assunta is located in Netro's cemetery. Access is from the SP 500 via Via Rubino and then Via Oddone. The village centre is also home to the 19th-century Parrocchiale dell’Assunta. A few steps away is the small Baroque building Oratorio di S. Rocco. Only one tower of Netro Castle remains; it is used as the bell tower of the Oratorio di San Rocco.

Signposted Trails and Landscape

Beyond the churches and the documentation centre, Netro also offers concrete options for planning an active trip. The “Area attrezzata Masini” is an equipped rest area above Netro's village centre in the Carasseie area. The “IL SENTIERO DEI PE' D'OCA” trail is marked throughout with the white-and-red B12 trail signage and the “Pe d’oca” logo. For mountain biking, a route leads from Netro through chestnut and birch woods, across meadows and through pastures. Those choosing accommodation for a trip to Netro can weigh these different focuses against one another: culture and architectural history, a signposted hiking trail or a route through the landscape.

Local Tradition at “Il Carvé ’d Netro”

“Il Carvé ’d Netro” is a historic carnival in Netro. At the 2026 edition, the keys to the town were traditionally handed over by the mayor to the historical masked characters. This event adds a festive aspect of the village to its permanently visible churches, the tower of the Oratorio di San Rocco and the documented history of ironworking.

Other Destinations for Orientation

Mongrando, Lessona, Solesio, Viverone, Bioglio, Graglia, Zimone, Candelo

For the higher-level travel overview: Biella.