Castellamonte: Ceramics, Churches and the Monti Pelati

Castellamonte between Ceramics and Landscape

Castellamonte combines a strong ceramics tradition with remarkable architecture and the distinctive landscape of the Monti Pelati. Throughout the town, you will encounter ceramic monuments, historic churches and museums, while the nature reserve provides a contrasting landscape. Whether you are planning a culturally focused trip or an itinerary that combines nature and local history, Castellamonte offers many concrete points of interest.

Ceramics Shape the Townscape

A striking example is the Arco di Pomodoro. The arch has a radius of 6 metres and consists on each side of 31 decorated moulded elements alternating with smooth elements. All the elements are made of greified terracotta. At the same time, the Arco di Pomodoro recalls Arnaldo Pomodoro's contribution to the XXXV Mostra della Ceramica in 1995.

The Museo della Ceramica in Palazzo Botton originated from the Raccolta Civica di Terra Rossa and was opened to the public in 1993. The modern section includes works from all over Italy donated by artists taking part in the annual Mostra della Ceramica, as well as works by local craftspeople and creations by students of the Istituto d'Arte. The Casa Museo Famiglia Allaira offers a more family- and craft-oriented approach: it displays restored kilns and Franklin stoves made with Castellamonte ceramics, as well as works by ceramic artists Angelo Barengo and Renzo Igne. These are joined by thousands of restored and catalogued domestic, architectural and figurative ceramic objects from Castellamonte.

The production process itself is also part of the town's cultural identity. La Castellamonte produces ceramic stoves in traditional and design ranges while preserving historic manufacturing techniques. The former Pagliero factory is associated with three production lines from the 19th century and from the 1930s and 1950s. The Casa Museo Famiglia Allaira tour includes seven furnished rooms and a restoration workshop and is led by family members and specialists in the field.

Churches, a Rotunda and Historic Traces

The Chiesa di San Rocco dates from 1769 and has a Baroque façade with terracotta elements. The parish church of Santi Pietro e Paolo features a life-size nativity scene made of red earth from Castellamonte, a work by sculptor Angelo Pusterla. The Chiesa parrocchiale Natività di Maria Santissima acquired its present form in 1870 and has a Baroque façade with three ceramic panels by Alfeo Ciolli.

The history of this church goes back further: it is documented in records dating from 1329. Historically, it became a destination for public processions and pilgrimages, especially on Ascension Day and 8 September. The Rotonda Antonelliana is the surviving part of Alessandro Antonelli's grand, unrealised project for the parish church of Santi Pietro e Paolo. In summer, it hosts the Mostra della Ceramica of Castellamonte.

Monti Pelati: an Unusual Natural Setting

The Riserva Naturale dei Monti Pelati nature reserve also includes land within the municipality of Castellamonte. Hills that are almost devoid of vegetation dominate the landscape; their substrate consists mainly of peridotite. Peridotite, olivine and magnesite are exposed at the surface of the Monti Pelati. Because of the sparse vegetation, the landscape appears almost lunar – a clear contrast to the town's ceramic and sacred motifs.

Practical Information for Your Planning

You can reach the Castello on foot in about 10 to 15 minutes via the paved Via Conti di S. Martino. The nature reserve can be reached by public transport via the Torino–Aosta railway line: the connection runs from Torino Porta Susa station to Ivrea, followed by the GTT bus route Ivrea–Castellamonte–Valchiusella. When choosing a hotel in Castellamonte, you can align your travel plans with the different points of focus – ceramics and architecture, historic churches or the landscape of the Monti Pelati.

At the Casa Museo Famiglia Allaira, note the guided tour with its seven furnished rooms and restoration workshop. The exhibition area of the Centro Ceramico Fornace Pagliero is open only during the events announced in the calendar. This time restriction is just as relevant for practical planning as the approximate walking time to the Castello.

More Destinations

For further planning: Front, Pragelato, Garibaldi, Torre Canavese, Albiano D’ivrea, Pavarolo, Perosa Argentina, Vidracco.

For the main travel overview: Turin.