Celle Di Macra: Discover Historic Trails and Church Art

Celle Di Macra combines the history of the anchovy sellers with historic trails, distinctive religious architecture, and a landscape featuring a larch forest that has remained intact for centuries. If you would like to combine culture and hiking, the local attractions offer different points of focus.

Historic Trails and Local Building Styles

The Sentiero degli Acciugai follows the historic trails used by anchovy sellers in their work in the valley and passes through almost all of the local hamlets. Along the Sentiero della Costruzione Alpina are lime kilns, slate quarries, sand pits, and buildings with characteristic “a vela” façades. The trails therefore focus not only on the landscape, but also on former work and local building styles.

Larch Forest and Traces of Earlier Use

The Sentiero dei Giganti passes through a larch forest that has remained intact for centuries. Along the trail there are also several historically interesting buildings and the “Naj del charbou” wetland. There you will find an original pond where hemp was retted above Borgata Combe. The landscape is therefore also connected with its earlier use.

Church Art in Celle Di Macra

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista is an 18th-century building. It includes a pre-existing Romanesque bell tower, a single-nave interior, a large presbytery, and two side chapels. The Polittico di Hans Clemer consists of five wooden panels: they depict the enthroned Madonna and Child, Saints John the Evangelist, Paul, Peter, and John the Baptist, as well as a praying patron.

The Cappella di San Sebastiano is a simple stone building with a slate roof and a portico; inside it is the oldest stone altar in the province of Cuneo. Another Cappella di San Sebastiano in Borgata Chiotto preserves frescoes by Giovanni Baleison. They depict the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, the Last Judgment, a representation of the punishments of Hell, and the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Remembering the Anchovy Sellers

The Museo Sèles presents the history of the anchovy sellers from several hamlets of Celle di Macra, Macra, Lottulo, Tetti di Dronero, and Paglieres through information panels, original objects, and clothing. The Baía di Castellaro, a hamlet of Celle Di Macra, adds a further local touch: on the last Sunday in July, it is celebrated in honor of Saint Anne.

Attractions in the Wider Area

Around Chiesa di Macra are the historic site of Ponte del Diavolo, Punta dell'Omo, and Monte Borel. The wider regional area around Chiesa di Macra also includes the Museo dell'Arpa Victor Salvi, Monte Savi, Castello del Roccolo, and Castello della Manta. These destinations offer different points of focus in terms of culture and landscape.

A Route Through the Hamlets

The Borgate di Celle Macra route begins in Borgata Rio di Celle Macra and continues through Albornetto Sottano, Albornetto Soprano, Serre, Castellaro, Ansoleglio, Chiesa, and Paschero. It returns to the starting road via a path. If you choose your accommodation according to your interests, you can weigh up a trip focused on these hamlets, the historic trails, or church art.

More Places to Include in Your Italy Plans

For further Italy planning, you can also explore Mondovì, Demonte, Melle, Sorano, Canove, Pianfei, Montelupo Albese, and Costigliole Saluzzo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cuneo.