Azeglio: Lakeside, Craftsmanship and Historic Buildings

Azeglio combines Lake Viverone with religious buildings, castles, squares and the history of chairmaking.

Lakeside, nature and pile-dwelling history

On the shore of Lake Viverone, within the municipal area of Azeglio, there is a pile-dwelling landing stage inside a Site of Community Importance (SCI). In the center of Azeglio, the Ecomuseo dei Seggiolai e delle Impagliatrici displays tools used in traditional chairmaking and traditional chair weaving. This ecomuseum includes the Sentiero della lesca: the nature trail leads through the forest and along the Azeglio shore of Lake Viverone, where the lake grass used for chair weaving can be observed.

Near the landing stage there is a birdwatching tower, accessible via a connecting path, which serves to observe the surrounding landscape, particularly the birds found there. In the Boscarina area of Azeglio, a reconstructed pile-dwelling landing stage was built to commemorate the prehistoric site on Lake Viverone. Along the access road, the moraine hills of the Serra gently encircle Lake Viverone.

Chairmaking as part of local history

The artisanal production and weaving of chairs were part of Azeglio’s local economy from the second half of the 19th century until the 1960s. Chairs made in Azeglio were exported to and appreciated in several countries, including the United States of America. Through its tools and traditional production methods handed down over time, the ecomuseum vividly places this economic sector in its local context.

Churches and sacred art

The parish church of San Martino Vescovo was designed in 1793 and combines several different architectural styles. Its organ was built in 1821 by the Serassi brothers from Bergamo. The Cappella di Sant’Anna at the foot of the built-up area of Azeglio dates from the 16th century and preserves a blue-and-gold wooden altar from the 17th century, carved with scenes from the life of Christ. The Santuario di Sant’Antonio Abate was built in the 12th century for pilgrims travelling along the Via Francigena.

Castles, bell tower and piazza

Il Castellazzo is the oldest surviving building in the municipality of Azeglio. The building dates from before the year 1000, was the residence of Azeglio’s first feudal lords and served as a defensive fortress in times of war. The origins of the Castello dei Conti d’Harcourt date back to the end of the 13th century.

The Torre campanaria is 52 meters high and is one of the tallest bell towers in the Canavese area. The Palazzo Municipale on Piazza Massimo d’Azeglio was completed in 1860 and has a neoclassical façade with a projecting colonnade. The square also features a bronze bust by the sculptor Davide Calandra, which was unveiled in 1896.

Places to visit around Azeglio

Castello e Parco di Masino, a castle, is located in the immediate vicinity of Azeglio; Castello Di Roppolo, a castle, is located in the surrounding area of Azeglio. Also in the surrounding area are Giusiana Palace, a palace, and the Museo Civico Pier Alessandro Garda, a museum. In the wider regional surroundings of Azeglio are Porta della Torrazza, a natural arch, and the mountains Monte Muanda, Colma di Mombarone and Punta Tre Vescovi.

More destinations

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To the overarching travel overview: Turin.