Cuceglio: Churches, History and Trails in the Canavese

Churches and Hillside Setting

Cuceglio combines a rich collection of churches with local history dating back to the Middle Ages and trails through the Canavese. The Santuario della Madonna Addolorata is a single-nave Baroque church situated on a hill at an elevation of around 400 metres. For those interested in culture, this building combines sacred architecture with the town’s hillside setting.

Sacred and Medieval Traces

The town’s sacred history includes several clearly distinguishable construction phases. The Parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro ed Eusebio probably dates from the second half of the 16th century. Its three-nave rear section was built in 1726 at the expense of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and was initially used as that confraternity’s oratory. The Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie was built at the beginning of the 19th century. In the hamlet of Cascine Cuffia, it is the youngest of Cuceglio’s three churches.

History in Public Spaces

Public spaces also preserve historical points of reference. The bell tower on Piazza Marconi was begun in 1710 at the expense of the municipality. The first documentary mention of Cuceglio dates from 1019: Otto William, Count of Burgundy, issued a charter at that time in favour of Fruttuaria Abbey in San Benigno. In 1227, Cuceglio was incorporated into the possessions of the Marquises of Monferrat, subsequently passed to the Biandrate of San Giorgio as their feudal lords, and in 1631, following the Peace of Cherasco, came under the Savoy dynasty. Cuceglio was involved in the historical, essentially warlike conflicts over the Canavese between the domains of the Marquises of Monferrat and the Savoys.

A probable medieval castle in Cuceglio is associated with Coleto de Melioretis, who is mentioned as castellan of Cuceglio in 1334. The name Cucilium Castrum also appears in Pietro Azario’s work De Bello Canepiciano. No structural traces of Cuceglio’s historic Ricetto have survived; its location is believed to have been in the upper part of the hill where the Santuario now stands.

Festivals and Trails in the Canavese

Cuceglio’s patronal festival honours Sant’Eusebio and San Pietro and takes place on 1 August. A different local touch is provided by the festival Sagra della Fritüra Dusa e del Vino Morenico, which reached its 21st edition in 2026.

For trail planning, two sections of the Canavese trail network are particularly specific. Route 100A passes through Cuceglio via Truc Cumie and Vialfrè to San Nicolao. Route 136B runs from Cuceglio via the junction with Route 136 at Montalenghe to the junction with Route 104. At a Y-junction near the forest, turn right towards the church of Santa Maria della Rotonda. These different points of reference help you clearly balance your day’s plans between local history and trails.

Further destinations: Piverone, Montalenghe, Nichelino, Germagnano, Fenestrelle, Ruà, Bruino, Montanaro

For the overall travel overview: Turin.