Rivarolo Canavese: History, Arcades and Regional Specialties

Rivarolo Canavese combines a historic center shaped by the Middle Ages with churches, palaces and regional specialties. Along Via Ivrea, the double arcades are approximately 500 meters long. Architecture, sacred art and local production traditions offer several clear themes for planning your trip.

Historic Center and Via Ivrea

The historic aristocratic palaces Palazzo Palma di Borgofranco at numbers 19 to 31, Palazzo Farina at numbers 28 to 38 and Palazzo Toesca at number 42 are located along Via Ivrea. Palazzo Lomellini at number 60 houses the town hall. The ramps on Via Ivrea are also relevant for orientation on site: they facilitate access for people with disabilities when going up and down.

Castles, Churches and Art

Castello di Malgrà was built in 1333 by the Counts of San Martino. At the end of the 19th century, it was restored according to a design by the architect Alfredo D’Andrade. The courtyard contains a crenellated tower and a small loggia with 15th-century frescoes.

The religious buildings also span several periods. The Chiesa e Convento di San Francesco preserves the remains of a cloister as well as traces of paintings and frescoes from the 14th or 15th century in the Gothic sacristy and inside the church. It also contains the work “Madonna e padri della Chiesa in adorazione del bambino” by Gian Martino Spanzotti. The Chiesa della Confraternita del SS. Nome di Gesù was extensively remodelled from the middle of the 18th century onward according to a design by Pietro Bonvicini; its interior features decorative works and paintings by Vittorio Amedeo Rapous. The Parrocchiale di San Michele Arcangelo has a Baroque form designed by Bernardo Vittone, a representative brick façade, an octagonal floor plan and a dome.

Local Specialties

Rivarolo Canavese's culinary side is reflected in recipes with a long production tradition. Focaccia della Befana is associated with Epiphany. Its tall version can be traced back there for more than 50 years, and the flat version for around 40 years; both are based on the same ingredients and processing methods. The production of Pan douss ‘d Malgrà can be traced back in Rivarolo Canavese for more than 30 years and is likewise based on the same ingredients and processing methods. For Tomino fresco di Mastri, production in the Mastri district of the municipality of Rivarolo Canavese has been documented for more than 100 years. The same ingredients and processing methods are used here as well. Parts of the Mastri area are also located in the municipalities of Feletto and Bosconero.

The Wider Regional Surroundings

Castello Benso, one of the castles, is located in the surroundings of Rivarolo Canavese. D'Oria Palace and Villa Remmert, which are among the palaces, are also located nearby. In the wider regional surroundings, Cascata di Fondo in Valchiusella is a waterfall, while Cima Bonze, Cima Battaglia and Monte Soglio are mountains. Valli di Lanzo is also counted among the palaces in this regional area.

When choosing your hotel in Rivarolo Canavese, the desired combination of a historic townscape, sacred art, local cuisine and interest in the regional landscape is a sensible starting point.

For the higher-level travel overview: Turin.