Discover Desana: Rice Fields, History and Regional Cuisine

Desana is characterized by rice fields and a rural landscape. Ditches and irrigation canals supply the rice fields. The town is home to Castello di Desana and the church of Santi Fabiano e Sebastiano. Rice culture encompasses everything from the irrigated fields and processing to traditional cuisine. For travelers interested in regional products, the culinary focus may be on the mill, the estate or traditional dishes.

Castle and Church: History in Two Buildings

The first surviving records of Castello di Desana date back to the 10th century. The castle was built in the 14th century in a strategic area between the municipality of Vercelli and the Marquisate of Monferrat. Castello di Desana is designed as a lowland castle. Its square layout and the round towers on the sides define the structure of the complex.

The church of Santi Fabiano e Sebastiano dates from 1618. As part of the 2018 edition of the diocesan “Chiese Aperte” program, the church of Santi Sebastiano e Fabiano in Desana was included in the visitor routes. Alongside the medieval castle, this provides a religious building from the 17th century. Those interested in history can consider the castle form of Castello di Desana and the church of Santi Fabiano e Sebastiano, built in 1618, as separate focal points.

Rice Fields and Paths Through the Surroundings

The area around Desana, characterized by rice fields and a rural landscape, is suitable for walks and bike rides. A walk involves a different pace from a bike ride; both activities relate to the same rice-growing landscape. The ditches and irrigation canals supply the fields and are part of the agricultural structure of the surrounding area. The choice therefore primarily concerns the pace of movement, not the landscape itself.

Desana’s Parco Comunale has slides and swings for children.

Rice, Processing and Regional Cuisine

Tenuta Castello processes its rice in an old stone rice mill. The mill is operational and uses traditional techniques as well as machinery from the early 20th century.

Tenuta Margherita is marketed as Riso Margherita. It was founded in Desana in 1904 and operates on a 300-hectare estate.

At Cascina Valdemino in Desana, a guided tour and/or a workshop are offered. The workshop includes a rice sommelier and cooking course; it is designed for 1 to 20 people. The restaurant at Cascina Valdemino in Desana serves traditional cuisine to groups and individual visitors.

Music, Stalls and the Town Festival

The Sagra di San Pietro e San Maurizio includes musical performances, food stalls and entertainment for all age groups. For travel planning, the Sagra can be considered a separate event alongside the town’s historical and culinary attractions.

More Destinations for Your Planning

If you would like to combine Desana with other places on your trip to Italy, here are additional destinations to help with your planning: Borgosesia, Fobello, Vercelli, Serravalle Sesia, Rima, Carisio, San Genuario, and Valduggia.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vercelli.