Bernezzo: Churches, Frescoes and Paths through the Landscape

Bernezzo combines sacred art, a long-established local history and paths through a green cultural landscape. Particularly characteristic are the town’s churches and chapels, complemented by the still-existing connection between Borgo and Caraglio, regional palaces and peaks in the surrounding area. If you would like to combine culture and landscape, you will find various themes here for planning your trip.

Churches and Frescoes in Bernezzo

The Chiesa della Madonna is located in the centre of Bernezzo, in the Pasché district. In the Cappella della Maddalena, the small apse mainly preserves the apse of the former Romanesque church. It also contains the oldest fresco visible in Bernezzo, which is considered to be approximately 1,000 years old. The apse fresco depicts twelve Apostles in the Byzantine style and dates from the 11th century.

The parish churches also tell stories of different eras. The vault of the baptistery of the Chiesa Parrocchiale della Beata Vergine del Rosario is attributed to Hans Clemer. The Parrocchiale San Rocco became the parish church on 20 July 1847 and was most recently extended and restored in 1996. The present building of the Chiesa dei S.S. Pietro e Paolo dates from the 18th century, was built by Benedictine monks and overlooks Bernezzo from above.

Historic Paths and Hiking Experiences

The Via dei Romani continues to exist under another name and still connects Borgo and Caraglio through Bernezzo today. A historic transport connection is therefore just as much a part of the townscape as the sacred buildings. For a more intensive experience of the landscape, the circular hike “Tamone (Monte) da Bernezzo, anello” passes through woodland and meadows to the ruins of the hamlet of Rinerme at an altitude of 1,101 m.

Another perspective is offered by the circular route of the Parco Fluviale Gesso e Stura. It runs through Bernezzo along the foothills between the valley floors of the Stura and Grana. Via side roads, the route passes at the foot of the intervening ridges through the fertile landscape. The combination of woodland, meadows, river valleys and agriculturally shaped areas makes Bernezzo interesting if you would like to combine sightseeing with outdoor activities.

Surroundings and Regional Points of Interest

Several historic buildings are located in the surroundings of Bernezzo: Villa Oldofredi Tadini and Palazzo Uffici Finanziari are palaces, the Galimberti House Museum is a museum and Casa del Fiume is a castle. The wider regional area around Bernezzo also includes the peaks of Monte Croce, Monte Saben, Cima Pissousa and Rocca Vanciarampi. These different destinations broaden the perspective from local history to the region’s cultural and natural landscape.

Chestnuts and the Cycle of the Year

Bernezzo is associated with chestnut trees, mushrooms and green organically farmed crops. The town’s culinary calendar includes the annual Castagnata e Sagra della Castagna, held on the fourth Sunday in October. When choosing your hotel, you can therefore consider whether you would like to focus on churches and frescoes, a hike, the landscape trails or the autumn chestnut event.

More Destinations

More destinations: Garbelletto, Annunziata, Sommariva Del Bosco, Clavesana, Breolungi, Baldissero D'alba, Belvedere Langhe Cn, Sale San Giovanni

To the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.