Marentino: Art, Churches, Honey and Trails through the Turin Hills

Marentino in the Turin Hills

Marentino lies in the Turin Hills; on a clear day, the view stretches as far as the Alps. Churches, murals, bee observation, honey and hiking trails offer different starting points for a trip that you can shape around culture, culinary experiences or walking.

Churches, Frescoes and Piedmontese History

The Church of the Assumption of Mary has a two-part façade with Ionic pilasters, an oval rose window and a triangular pediment. Its apse features stained-glass windows of Saint Bartholomew and Saint Cecilia, as well as a 19th-century altarpiece, a copy of Guido Reni’s “Assumption of the Virgin”. A Sunday service at 10:00 is listed for the Church of the Assumption of Mary.

The Chapel of Santa Maria Assunta, also known as “Santa Maria Assunta detta dei Morti”, was built in the 12th century and preserves surviving frescoes. The scenes were created by Guglielmetto Fantini, who worked there in the first half of the 15th century. Depictions of Saint Christopher and Saint James, both patron saints of pilgrims, connect the chapel with the medieval Via Francigena. In Avuglione, the Baroque Church of Santa Maria Maddalena was built between the 17th and 18th centuries on the site of an earlier place of worship; its 1878 organ has 339 pipes. The present-day Church of San Giorgio in Vernone was rebuilt in 1744 and stands next to Vernone Castle.

Art, Bees and Casa Zuccala

The “Muri d’arte in rebus” project presents local landscapes, nature, traditions and memories as rebuses painted on walls. You can experience these Muri d’arte on an artistic riddle walk through the streets of Marentino. The town’s experimental apiary consists of four beehives in a protective structure that enables their observation and study. La Casa delle Api is an information, tourism and educational centre; visits are supervised by staff from Ente Parco Visite Superga.

Casa Zuccala is a listed building of historical and artistic interest in Marentino. It is an example of the Piedmontese country residences of the 17th and 18th centuries, known in Italian as “vigne”. On the upper floors, 22 rooms house the “Centro Studi per la valorizzazione dell’Arredamento Piemontese”, as well as furnishings and furniture illustrating styles from the 17th to the mid-19th century. The rooms are available for exhibitions, cultural events and tastings of Piedmontese food and wine products.

Hiking Trails and Natural Areas

The 12.40 km-long, hilly circular route of the Cammino di Don Bosco connects Marentino, Montaldo Torinese and Pavarolo and is classified as “escursionistica”. It enters Marentino via Strada del Pozzetto near Casa Zuccala. The middle Cammino di Don Bosco, also known as the route around Lago di Arignano, passes through Marentino and forms part of a total 50.9 km route with 1,054 metres of ascent. The Cammino Romanico Mombello di Torino–Marentino–Andezeno is approximately 9 km long and is classified as a hiking route of “escursionistica” difficulty. The Marentino–Andezeno circular route starts at the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria, which is also called “Santa Maria dei Morti” in Marentino. A connecting trail from Santa Maria di Marentino passes through Avuglione to the hamlet of Tetti Chiaffredo.

Lago di Arignano lies on the border between Arignano and Marentino. The wetland is a habitat for resident and migratory birds and complements the hilly surroundings with a natural area of particular interest for observation.

Honey and Local Tradition

Honey varieties in Marentino include chestnut, acacia, millefiori and dandelion honey. The Fiera del Miele takes place on the last Sunday in September and includes stalls selling regional food and local handicrafts. The 31st Fiera del Miele di Marentino has been announced for Sunday, 27 September 2026.

More destinations for planning your trip to Italy: Ivrea, Villar Pellice, Rivoli, Fenestrelle, Cavallo, Montalto Dora, Buriasco, Caselle Torinese

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