Bonvicino: History, Trails and Landscape

Church and Historic Site

Bonvicino reveals its character through specific places: the Torrente Rea flows northwest through a narrow, wooded valley and passes the centre. In the municipality’s main settlement stands the Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Santi Giacomo e Cristoforo, the parish church of Bonvicino.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Santi Giacomo e Cristoforo is a 17th-century building with three naves. Its façade is articulated by pilasters; the portal has a Baroque surround and a pedimented crest. Inside, there is also a wooden statue by the sculptor Roascio. After the earthquake of 1887, the church was structurally secured and extended according to a design by the surveyor Schellino. Visitors interested in culture can focus on different aspects, including architecture, furnishings and local history.

Bonvicino’s documented medieval history includes its violent occupation by the Visconti in 1432, after rule had passed from the Marquises of Montferrat. In spring 1944, a French partisan group led by the tailor Simon Samuel and a Slavic group led by Eugenio Stipcevic, “Genio lo Slavo”, formed in the area of Somano, Bonvicino and Lovera. Somano, Bonvicino and Lovera provide the geographical framework for the two groups.

Trails, Landscape and Orientation

On Bonvicino’s main square, a sign points to the “Simon Samuel” section and to the downhill path leading to the higher-altitude hamlet of Lovera. Another path passes the Santa Eurosia votive pillar and lavender fields. Those viewing the village on foot can thus find historical references and landscape features within the same planning perspective, without conflating the individual points of interest. For spatial planning, a distinction must be made between the main square, the higher-altitude hamlet of Lovera and the wider regional surroundings.

Museums and Castles in the Surrounding Area

The Museo dei Cavatappi di Barolo, a museum, and the Castello Falletti di Barolo, a castle, are located in the vicinity of Bonvicino. The Strada del Barolo e grandi vini di Langa, a museum, is also located in the surrounding area.

In the wider regional surroundings of Bonvicino are the Museo Della Ceramica Di Mondovi', a museum; the Giardini del Belvedere, a garden; the Parco Europa, a park; the Area Verde Giovanni Falcone Paolo Borsellino, a garden; and Bric Cupazzolo, a hill. For regional planning, a distinction must be made between the destinations in the wider surroundings and the trail connections in the main settlement.

Local Event

During the San Giacomo patronal celebration in the last week of July, games of Pallone elastico are held in Bonvicino. For time planning, the last week of July provides the decisive framework: San Giacomo is the occasion, while Pallone elastico is the programme of games.

Other places in the same destination include Arietti, Valle Talloria, Cartignano, Vernante, Sinio, Albaretto Della Torre, Pocapaglia and Roà Marenca.

For the overarching travel overview: Cuneo.