Settimo Vittone: Pre-Romanesque Culture and Mountain Landscapes

Pre-Romanesque Architecture and Medieval Traces

Settimo Vittone combines a remarkable cultural landscape with trails through the Mombarone area and regional specialties. The Pieve di San Lorenzo and the Battistero di San Giovanni Battista are at the heart of the town’s history. Together, they form one of the most significant pre-Romanesque complexes in Piedmont and give your stay a clear cultural and historical focus.

The medieval Castello di Settimo Vittone also reaches deep into the past. Attone Anscario, the first Marquis of Ivrea, founded the complex in the 9th century. The ruins of a tower and several terracotta friezes have survived. The architectural remains thus represent a different historical period from the pre-Romanesque religious complex and complement the historical picture of Settimo Vittone.

Mombarone as a Landscape Landmark

Mombarone, also known as Colma di Mombarone, is a 2,371-metre-high mountain in the Pennine Alps. Its area includes the municipalities of Settimo Vittone, Donato and Graglia. From the summit, there are views of the Alps and the Apennines. This contrast is particularly interesting when planning a trip: the concentrated architecture of the Pieve and Battistero gives way to a vast alpine landscape.

The terraced vineyards and agricultural landscapes of Mombarone include the characteristic Pilun. These truncated-cone-shaped stone and lime pillars support the Tupiun, a traditional vine pergola. The terraced landscapes are also listed in the National Register of Italy’s Historic Rural Landscapes. At Mombarone, you therefore encounter not only mountain formations but also a clearly recognisable agricultural landscape.

Hikes of Different Lengths

CAI hiking trail 802 begins at the 802-852 junction in Montestrutto, in the municipality of Settimo Vittone. It ends at the 802-122 junction in the municipality of Montalto Dora and is 6.7 km long. The Mombarone e Colle Lace route begins in Trovinasse, ends there again and covers 15.8 km. The different trail lengths help you adapt your hiking plans to your preferred distance.

The Via Francigena route also passes through Torre Daniele, Cesnola and Senge. A circular hike from the Torre Daniele hamlet in the municipality of Settimo Vittone follows mostly preserved historic mule tracks to the church of Trovinasse at an altitude of 1,374 m. Alongside the two explicitly measured routes, this places further historically shaped trail sections around Settimo Vittone at the centre of attention.

Regional Cuisine and Terraced-Grown Products

Local food culture includes Miasse, served very hot and usually accompanied by Salignun or Murtret. Murtret is an aged cheese made from Toma, ricotta, salt and chilli peppers. Salignun is spread on a still-warm, halved Miassa; before eating, the Miassa is folded in half again. This preparation turns a simple flatbread into a specialty completed immediately before eating.

Olive oil is also connected with the terraced landscapes. It is produced from various olive varieties selected for these terraces, including the Don Carlo variety. It contributes to the production of very high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Cultural monuments, mountain trails, historic agriculture and regional cuisine thus provide four different ways to experience Settimo Vittone.

More Destinations for Your Trip to Italy

More destinations: San Maurizio Canavese, Castellamonte, Verrua Savoia, Moriondo Torinese, Eremo, Romano Canavese, Coazze and Sciolze.

To the main travel overview: Turin.