Carignano between the Po landscape and church architecture

In Carignano, the river landscape along the Po, protected river habitats, churches, arcades and an archaeological museum come together.

Along the Po

The Po near Carignano lies at the heart of the Parco del Po Torinese and features an impressive natural landscape. It includes the well-known oxbow lake called “Po Morto”, protected river habitats, riparian forests and side channels.

The protected Po area near Carignano includes a completely flat route through the Carignano countryside, suitable for walks, bike tours and mountain biking. The landscape around Carignano can also be explored on paved or unpaved roads that are of great natural and artistic interest. The countryside around Carignano features rows of mulberry trees, poplar groves, irrigation canals and old farmhouses alongside medieval fortified houses, chapels and rural hamlets.

Churches, arcades and local history

In Via Vittorio Veneto, Borgovecchio preserves Carignano’s only urban street with a surviving double row of arcades. Construction of the Chiesa di Nostra Signora delle Grazie began in 1601 and was completed ten years later, in 1611. Its façade was carefully restored, revealing its original rich polychromy.

The Chiesa di San Giuseppe was built between 1677 and 1687. Its elliptical floor plan is considered rare in 17th-century Piedmont: it combines the layout of a Latin cross with the ellipse of the choir and is crowned by an also elliptical dome. Construction of the Duomo di Carignano began in 1756. The church was consecrated in 1764, and the work was entrusted to Benedetto Alfieri.

The Cappella di San Rocco was commissioned in 1598 as a votive offering to the patron saint against the plague and rebuilt in 1632. Its gabled porch was intended to provide shelter for pilgrims stopping along the way. The Chiesa della Madonna della Misericordia was built from 1640 onwards at the request of the community as a votive church, after a sudden flood of the Po prevented French troops from entering the town.

Museum and connections with the landscape

The Museo Civico e Archeologico “Giacomo Rodolfo” preserves archaeological, artistic and documentary materials from the Carignano area. It was established through the donation of the collection by the heirs of Professor Giacomo Rodolfo and aims to preserve and pass on evidence of the past, as well as the cultural heritage recognised as belonging to the community of Carignano.

The Santuario del Valinotto is also known as the Cappella della Visitazione and is located in the Carignano countryside on the road to Osasio and Virle. It is considered an early masterpiece by the architect Bernardo Antonio Vittone. Guided visits to the monuments in Carignano require registration by telephone at least two weeks in advance.

Other destinations: Pianezza, Bruzolo, Condove, Carmagnola, Cavallo, Buriasco, San Didero, Sauze D'oulx

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