Discover Gattinara: Wine, History and Landscape

Gattinara combines wine, historic architecture and a landscape of forests and vineyards. Several highlights are particularly relevant when planning your trip: the Castello di San Lorenzo, the Enoteca Regionale in Villa Paolotti, the Gattinara Ecomuseo and the “I Sentieri dei Gatti” enduro trails. There are also regional destinations and daily bus connections to Vercelli and Varallo.

Hilltop Castle and Sacred Traces

The Castello di San Lorenzo is an important defensive castle dating from the 12th century. The complex includes an inner tower and a fortified curtain wall with lookout posts. As a hilltop castle, the Castello stands on the rock of the upper hill and offers views over lower Valsesia and the plains of Vercelli and Novara. In this way, the historic fortification is directly connected with the local landscape.

The churches also bear witness to different construction phases. Part of the east-facing apse of the Chiesa di San Lorenzo has been preserved; its decorative elements are typical of the 14th century. The Chiesa di San Pietro was rebuilt in 1881 in neoclassical forms over an existing Roman building.

Wine and Traditional Everyday Culture

The Gattinara Ecomuseo is dedicated to rural civilization and the activities associated with it. At the same time, it is regarded as a place of knowledge and tradition, as well as a meeting place for preserving traditions and promoting the region. This gives local history an everyday perspective alongside castles and churches.

The Enoteca Regionale di Gattinara e dell’Alto Piemonte is located in Villa Paolotti. In Gattinara, visiting a local winery and tasting regional wines is also considered a wine experience. Those choosing a hotel in Gattinara can take this combination of wine, architecture and local culture into account as a distinct focus when planning their trip.

Forests, Vineyards and Regional Destinations

Among the forests and vineyards of Gattinara, there are numerous enduro trails for MTB descents, known as “I Sentieri dei Gatti”—“Cat Trails” in English. Alongside culture and wine, this also provides a sporting perspective on the landscape.

The “Come Eravamo” Museum is located in the vicinity of Gattinara. The Grotte di Ara and the Montefenera Caves are also nearby. In the wider region surrounding Gattinara are the Castello del Guado, Castello di Buronzo, Castello di Zumaglia, Monte Rovella and Monte Rubello. The selection therefore ranges from a museum and caves to castles and mountains, without equating their different spatial relationships.

Planning Your Stay

The Torre delle Castelle area is freely accessible and can be reached from Gattinara city centre by car or on foot in around 15 minutes. For travel to and from the town, daily bus connections link Gattinara with Vercelli and Varallo.

Discover more destinations for your trip to Italy via Rima, Alagna Valsesia, Rimella, Trino, Albano Vercellese, Livorno Ferraris, Serravalle Sesia and Riva Valdobbia.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vercelli.