Pavarolo: Art, History and Hillside Landscapes

Pavarolo combines art, history and landscape in a distinctive Piedmontese setting. Felice Casorati and Daphne Maugham chose the village as a summer retreat in 1930. Today, you can discover historic buildings, public art, a botanical trail and two routes of the Cammino Don Bosco.

Art and Casorati in the Village

The Casorati trail runs at the foot of the Torre di Pavarolo. Six works by the Casorati family have been reproduced on glass and displayed along the village streets. Numerous mosaics also commemorate the historic “Felice Casorati a Pavarolo” painting biennials. The Studio Museo Felice Casorati opened to the public on October 22, 2016, with an exhibition of Felice Casorati’s lithographs curated by Francesco Poli. Since the studio was converted into a museum, various exhibitions have been held there every year, bringing artists into dialogue with Felice Casorati’s art.

Historic Buildings in the Village Center

The Castello di Pavarolo is first mentioned in a document issued by Emperor Henry III in 1047. It originally served as a military outpost, later became an aristocratic residence, and is now privately owned. The castle includes a painted coffered-ceiling ensemble attributed to the Maestro di Montiglio and dated to 1350/1360, as well as walls with Anglo-floral neo-Gothic decorations. The ceiling is considered one of the oldest and best-preserved in Piedmont.

The Torre di Pavarolo is an old bell tower in the historic village center. It stands between the parish church and the castle, separate from the surrounding buildings, and has a passageway through its base. The parish church of Santa Maria dell'Olmo stands immediately beside the tower and is a three-nave building. The Cappella di San Defendente houses votive offerings from local residents, including around fifty panels depicting the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The oldest surviving example dates from 1728.

Gardens, Trails and Landscape

The Giardino degli Artisti is a botanical trail for all age groups that highlights plants and landscapes. It is located near the Studio Museo Felice Casorati at a viewpoint of great scenic value. Visitors may explore it freely on the opening days of the Museo-Studio Casorati, while guided tours are available throughout the year by reservation.

The municipality of Pavarolo includes cultivated fields, deciduous forests, meadows and vineyards. In the more rugged, hilly areas, remnants remain of the forests that covered a significant part of the municipality until not so long ago. For hiking enthusiasts, the Cammino Don Bosco has two different routes: the high route follows the Superga–Crea trail and passes through Bric Croce, Pavarolo, Bardassano, Sciolze and Cinzano. The middle route of the Cammino Don Bosco is also known as Lago di Arignano; it follows the high route as far as Bric Croce and then continues through Baldissero Torinese, Pavarolo, Montaldo, Marentino and Arignano.

Local Specialty and Festivals

The Brigna Purin-a from Pavarolo is also known as Prugna di San Giovanni and is a small, wine-colored, sweet plum. It is celebrated at the Sagra della Brigna Purin-a, held during the last ten days of June. The Festa patronale di San Secondo takes place on the last weekend of August. Pavarolo’s center can be reached from Baldissero, Cordova and Bardassano.

More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also discover Viù, Pianezza, Ceres, Almese, Villar Pellice, Sciolze, Campiglia Soana and Rivoli.

For the overview of destinations in the wider area: Turin.