Rivalba between the Castle, Frescoes and Forest Landscapes

Rivalba between History and Forests

Rivalba combines the memory of a medieval castle with sacred art and protected forest landscapes. Only the octagonal tower of the medieval castle has survived. San Pietro in Vincoli, Sant’Amanzio, Bosco del Vaj and Bosc Grand offer clear points of interest for different interests. When choosing a hotel, you can therefore focus your stay on culture, forest landscapes or the fair date.

Castle, Church and Chapels

At the beginning of the year 1000, Bishop Landolfo had a castle built in Rivalba to defend the area. The surviving octagonal tower is the visible part of this medieval castle today.

The parish church of San Pietro in Vincoli dates from the 12th or 13th century. In the first chapel on the right inside, there is a fresco depicting the miraculous liberation of Saint Peter from prison in Jerusalem. Despite unfavorable restorations in the 19th century, the church still displays notable features of medieval architecture.

The small chapel of Sant’Amanzio also combines several periods. It was completely rebuilt in 1917 and preserves valuable Gothic-style frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries inside, depicting the life of the saint. The chapel thus brings together the 1917 reconstruction and the frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries. At the same time, it is a stop on the San Sebastiano itinerary through the hills around Turin and the Monferrato.

Forests and Trails in the Protected Area

In the Bosco del Vaj and Bosc Grand protected area, forests of sessile oak (Quercus petraea), field maple (Acer campestre) and chestnut grow on the upper and middle northern slopes. Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is also found occasionally. This precise composition makes the forest landscape interesting for visitors who are interested in regional nature and the diversity of tree species.

Access to the Bosco del Vaj nature reserve is free, but restricted to designated roads and paths. In Bosc Grand, a forest ridge trail runs between Bric Cerro and Bric Turniola. Those exploring Bosco del Vaj and Bosc Grand should follow the designated paths and the forest ridge trail.

The National White Truffle Fair

Rivalba’s White Truffle Fair has been held on the second Sunday of November since 1988 and has been a national fair since 2012. The 38th edition of the National White Truffle Fair is scheduled for November 8, 2026. If you would like to plan your trip around regional specialties and a fixed event date, this November event is one of the town’s notable occasions. The fixed Sunday date provides a specific timeframe for a trip in November.

More Destinations

For further planning, you can also visit the pages for Locana, Rivoli, Dubbione Di Pinasca, Vacci, Buttigliera Alta, Corio, Ivrea and Torre Canavese.

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.