Front: Historic Chapels and Nature Between Forest and Water

Front Among Sacred Buildings, Forest and Watery Landscapes

Several chapels and historic traces take center stage in Front, complemented by the loop trail along the Rio Verdeis. The Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Maddalena was first mentioned in an official document in 1190. For visitors interested in Italian history, this sacred building therefore offers a clear chronological connection reaching back to the 12th century. However, the town's history is reflected not only in a single building, but also in smaller chapels, ruins and a traditional interpretation of the medieval past.

Chapels with Different Historical Layers

At the Cappella di San Domenico, several historical periods can be directly connected with one another. The chapel was extended in 1765 and subsequently restored several times. Inside is an ornate wooden statue of Saint Dominic, installed in 1890. It replaced an earlier papier-mâché statue. The Cappella di San Domenico is associated with the 1739 land register. It is accessible directly from the Piazza and has no barriers or obstacles.

The Cappella di San Rocco also reflects an older historical period. Its origins are dated to around 1600, and it is likewise associated with the 1739 land register. Like the Cappella di San Domenico, it is accessible directly from the Piazza and has no barriers or obstacles. The Cappella di Sant'Antonio Abate creates a different architectural accent. It is a remarkable Rococo building and was completed in 1793 by Bartolomeo Gilardino from San Benigno, based on a design by the architect Felice Maria Morari from Turin. The chapel is accessible directly from the street; here, too, there are no barriers or obstacles.

Ruins and Historical Interpretations

The visible historical traces in Front include the ruins of the building complex known as „di Madama Cristina“. They are located in and visible within a densely wooded clearing. Another historical interpretation concerns the Bricco della Torre, the hill above the present-day nursing home. According to one interpretation, an ancient Lombard castle of Front stood on this hill. Exploring the area therefore means encountering both tangible ruins and a traditional notion of the town's earlier fortification history.

Loop Trail Along the Rio Verdeis and the Landscape of the Canavese

The loop trail Percorso Naturalistico Il Rio Verdeis runs around the upper section of the Rio Verdeis. It begins on the southwestern outskirts of Grange di Front, a hamlet of the municipality of Front. This clearly identifies both the waterway section and the starting point of the loop trail. The Vauda nature reserve in the lower Canavese offers another distinctive landscape aspect. There, broad plains dotted with ponds shape the landscape. Those choosing Front for its historic buildings, connection with nature and regional landscape will therefore find a variety of themes for an individually planned trip.

Additional Town Pages for Your Planning

Rivalba, Monti, San Giusto Canavese, Pomaretto, Marentino, Maglione, San Didero, Gravere

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.